2015: Mimiko vows to tackle thuggery

Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has said his administration will ensure that the activities of political thugs are curtailed  before and during the 2015 general elections.

Mimiko, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, at a security workshop in Akure on Thursday, said the actions of politicians before, during and after the general elections would be the determinant of stability and state of security in the country.

He recalled the days when thugs disrupted campaigns of political opponents in the state,  saying those days should not be allowed to return in the build up to the elections.
The workshop themed, “The March Toward 2015,” was put together by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Isaac Eke, to prepare security agencies and political stakeholders for the challenges of next year’s general elections.
“Politicians must avoid provocative acts and should not see the elections as a do or die affair. They should have the spirit of sportsmanship and should be able to congratulate the winner of the election,” he said.
According to him, Ondo State had continued to witness peaceful elections and the coming elections should not be different.
Eke in his address said the command was committed to ensuring free, fair and peaceful polls in Ondo State during the elections.
He warned political parties to desist from politics of do or die, and the need to conduct a violent-free, credible, free and fair elections.
Eke also urged political parties, as well as those vying for elective positions in the state and federal legislatures in the forthcoming elections to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship during primaries and campaign periods.
He counseled them to shun acts of violence, thuggery and intimidation of perceived political opponents.

-- Punch News