Govt alleges plot to cause violence in Ondo

Ondo State Government on Sunday raised the alarm over alleged plans by the opposition political parties in the state to sponsor violent attacks on innocent residents.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, the state government alleged that the opposition’s destabilisation plot included the use of hoodlums from neighbouring states to wreak havoc in the state.

Akinmade’s statement added that one of the opposition parties had already taken delivery of vests bearing the inscriptions of the Labour Party to be used by the hired thugs.

He further alleged that the state government had unravelled plans by opposition parties in the state to step up its media attacks against the ruling party, using an Akure-based radio station and a national newspaper.

The statement reads in part, “One of the opposition parties plans to continue to incite the public against the government by reeling out falsehood about it and its activities.

“One of the opposition parties in its desperation, had taken delivery of vests with the inscription of the Labour Party on them.

“The vests would be worn by sponsored hoodlums whenever they are unleashing mayhem on the state so as to give the impression of a violent Labour Party.

“One of the opposition parties has also concluded the recruitment of young men it intends to bring on air at random to attack the person of Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his government, using its radio station.

“One of the opposition parties had also compiled fake documents with which it intends to launch an attack of calumny against the ruling government and incite the people against it.

“One of the opposition parties had gone on air recently alleging that the bus shelters which were constructed by the government were done for N75m each whereas each costs less than N6m.”

The statement also recalled that one of the series in the false information dissemination was a recent report by the party’s ‘megaphones’ claiming the arrest of some officials of the state by anti-graft bodies.

The Commissioner further noted that the alarm was recently raised concerning the falsehood published by the party regarding the defection of imaginary Labour Party members.

He said, “They claimed that members of the LP have been joining their party, but the truth came out last week when aspirants of the party who are already at each other’s neck accused one for false defection claims.

“This is the tradition in the party which they still intend to intensify as the October 20 election date draws near.