A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, has cautioned members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against violence ahead of the party’s State Congress scheduled to hold on Saturday.
The congress, expected to elect new state executives to pilot the affairs of the party, will take place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.
Gbolarumi, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, urged party faithful across the state to maintain peace and conduct themselves in a law-abiding manner during the exercise.
He stressed that the congress should reflect the principles of internal democracy, transparency and fairness, adding that any form of violence or intimidation would undermine the credibility of the process.
The former deputy governor also called on all stakeholders within the party to place the unity and stability of the PDP above personal interests.
According to him, while leadership contests and disagreements are common in political parties, such differences must always be resolved through lawful and democratic channels.
Gbolarumi said the warning had become necessary in view of the disturbances recorded during the party’s earlier ward and local government congresses in some parts of the state.
He noted that suspected political thugs disrupted the exercises in certain communities, resulting in injuries to several party members and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
Describing the incidents as unfortunate and unacceptable, he condemned acts of violence and intimidation, insisting that they run contrary to the ideals of democratic participation and responsible party politics.
Gbolarumi therefore appealed to security agencies in the state to provide adequate security before, during and after the congress to guarantee the safety of delegates and party officials.
He said ensuring a peaceful environment for the exercise would not only protect lives and property but also safeguard the integrity of the democratic process within the party.
The former deputy governor further assured members that the state leadership of the PDP remained committed to conducting a peaceful, credible and transparent congress that would strengthen the party ahead of future political engagements.
Party members from across the 33 local government areas of the state are expected to converge on Ibadan for the exercise, which observers say is crucial for consolidating the party’s structure in the state.
