Many members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state locked down Ilorin, state capital on Sunday to protest allegations of electoral frauds perpetrated by the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) in the concluded local governments elections conducted at the weekend.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) hours after the elections is just announcing the results as at the time of this report.
The detachment of anti-riot mobile policemen who promptly arrested the members of PDP described them as miscreants, warning that anyone who breaches the peace of the state would be dealt with according to the laws of the land.
The newly elected State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo who spoke at a press conference displayed scores of ballot papers seized from members of ruling APC across the state in an attempt to rig, saying that all political leaders including the Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki were roundly defeated by PDP members in their respective wards.
Oyedepo who called for the release of his members from police detention said his party does not believe in the results to be announced by KWASIEC, and the judiciary, adding that the party with its outstanding performance had made strong statement ahead of 2019 elections for the ruling APC.
He said the opposition members are battle ready to unseat the present government in 2019 elections, saying that the outcome of the local governments elections which would further be improved on are testimonies to that fact.
Similarly in a statement by the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, he condemned the protests and called on all citizens and residents of the state to remain calm and law abiding and await the results of the elections.
In a statement by the secretary to the state government, the state government commended the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s local government elections in the state and urged all law abiding citizens to calmly await the release of the official results of the elections.
Also, the Police command in a statement by its spokesperson urged parents and guardians to caution their wards against being involved in any unlawful protest.
"While urging law abiding citizens to go about their normal activities without fear as security agencies are on standby to forestall any threat to public peace no matter the intentions or identity of those behind such actions.
"Those seeking to use the election as an excuse to instigate public disorder should have a rethink as anyone apprehended for such actions will face the full weight of the law.
"The unlawful processions of some miscreants and political thugs in some parts of Ilorin Metropolis over the Local government elections is unacceptable
"It is noteworthy that the election was generally peaceful throughout the state, the results are yet to be officially announced, and opportunities are available for any aggrieved party to ventilate their grievance through judicial means," the statement read.
The command therefore advice parents and guidance to call their children and wards to order, as the Command is fully prepared to deal with anybody arrested for causing the breach of peace.
