The Ogun State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party in Remo Federal Constituency have traded blame over the violence that erupted in Sagamu.
The government in a statement, described the violent protest as politically motivated, accusing the opposition PDP of masterminding the violence.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin in the statement issued on Monday, said some PDP members were meeting which led to the break down of law and order.
Somorin said the PDP orchestrated the violent protest due to the success recorded by the All Progressives Congress during the Sunday campaign rally.
The statement read “Early this morning, a politically motivated violent protest took place in Sagamu, during which innocent people were attacked while banks and public infrastructures were destroyed and razed down by fire .
“We were reliably informed that some disgruntled members of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose members and some of the party’s candidates were seen leading the demonstration.
“While the protests were purportedly against the “scarcity of naira notes”, the real intention of these elements became obvious with the involvement of known PDP members.
“We believe strongly that it was the success of the APC rally of yesterday that got the feeble opposition PDP frustrated and therefore made their members embark on the mindless destruction of properties.
However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor while calling for calm, said the governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun would not leave any stone unturned in the issue of naira scarcity.
He said that attacks on innocent people and the destruction of private and public properties can not solve the current problem but will rather worsen the situation.
He added “therefore, we must not allow desperate politicians to mislead members of the public and use them as cannons to vent frustration.
“Rather, our people should exercise patience and be law abiding while waiting to cast their votes for the party that has stood by the populace even at this critical period.
“Arrests have been made by the police, who immediately swung into investigation.
“Ogun State has been acknowledged as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria; and the government shall not fold its hands and allow the state to be defined by thuggery, violence, and arson.
“The full wrath of the law will be borne by the culprits, no matter who their sponsors are.”
But, the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Remo Federal constituency, Bola Oluwole, faulted the claim, saying APC was afraid of the popularity of the PDP.
Oluwole in the statement titled “Allegation of Masterminding Sagamu Protest is to Smear My Image – Hon Bola Oluwole”, says neither he nor his party instigated the violence.
He advised the APC- led government to address the situation rather than shifting the blame to innocent Nigerians.
He said “my attention has been drawn to a broadcast message circulating around that I am the mastermind of the violence protest in Sagamu Remo.
“This action is the handiwork of the opposition in the ruling party, APC, who were hellbent to destroy and smear my image.
“They are afraid of my growing popularity as we approach the 2023 generations on Saturday.
“I want to say it in strong terms that I am not in any way connected to the protest, Nigerians are only angered by the economic hardships in the country and their inability to access their hard-earned money and the fuel scarcity.
“I am a peace-loving person, a grassroots politician who has the love of his people at heart, I will never get myself involved in things that will destroy the peace and tranquillity of my constituency.
“As of yesterday evening, our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, met with all National Assembly candidates to strategise for the election so where will I have the chance to mobilise for the violent protest?”
He stated that he was condemning the attacks on the banks in its entirety and appealed to the youths to be patient and shun violent activities.
“I want to urge the general public and the people of my constituency to disregard the message and go about their daily activities in peace.”
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