By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State has taken a swipe at the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede over their spurious allegation against Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on his case at the 2020 Election Petition Tribunal.
In a release signed by the APC spokesman, Mr Alex Kalejaye, the party frowned at any attempt to trivialise security of lives and property in the State by the PDP.
The statement read:”The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State has been drawn to an allegation credited to the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the just concluded election in the State, that his life is being threatened.
“The party, whose relevance on the political space in Ondo State has been irredeemably deflated, also alleged, recently, that some of their leaders collected money from, and worked for the APC during the election.
” Our initial reaction, as a more mature and well-organised political party, was to ignore these frivolous and attention-seeking allegations, but doing so would encourage their vehicle of lies to travel at a top speed.
“The APC frowns at any attempt to trivialise the issue of security to life and property in Ondo State. It is one area the current administration has invested so much, to ensure the State is safe and peaceful.
” We have so much to brood, particularly the issue of welfare of the people, and development of the State, at a time revenue allocations are not impressive, than contemplating threatening the life of any individual.
“The APC-led government has a duty to promote, and ensure the security of every resident of Ondo State, irrespective of party affiliation. It is therefore unfortunate that Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN,would author such a spurious allegation.
” To us, the election has come and gone, with the winner scoring fifteen over eighteen. We also have no qualms with any candidate’s decision to challenge our victory at the tribunal. We view that as part of the beauty of democracy, and a way to sustain the hope of followers.
“The State chapter enjoins the PDP and its candidate to jettison frivolity, and concentrate on gathering or manufacturing evidences to prosecute their case at the tribunal. Seeking sympathy through propaganda won’t yield results.
” We also consider as comical the desire of the PDP to hold APC responsible for its failure to organise and control it’s leaders and members during the election. Otherwise, how would the party accuse the APC of influencing, and leading away their stalwarts with monetary inducements?
“It is pertinent to educate the opposition party that the APC relied on performance, and vigorous but decent campaigns before the election, to garner the enviable number of votes, and not financial inducements”.