TheCable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has lampooned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, for their electioneering stunts ahead of the August 9 poll in Osun State.

Omisore was recently pictured with roasted corn ─ a popular meal among the masses ─ in what was termed the “Fayose effect” following the street-wise tactics of Mr. Ayo Fayose, the governor-elect of Ekiti State.

APC criticised Omisore for the masked security men following him around and for his “made-for-television” eating of roasted corn and riding commercial motorcycle.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the national publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said Omisore is afraid of his own shadows, hence his use of masked security men.

Mohammed said he wondered how a man who wants to rule a state would be afraid to move freely among the same people whose votes he is canvassing, adding that the PDP candidate should emulate Governor Rauf Aregbesola who is barely distinguishable from the ordinary citizens of the state.

He said: “Every month, Gov Aregbesola leads the people of the state in a jogging exercise on the streets, during which he mixes freely with them. Not once has a ‘ninja’ been spotted behind him in the name of security.

“During his ongoing electioneering campaign, Gov Aregbesola has continued with his tradition of being with the people without any invasive security. Mr Omisore has a lot to learn from Gov Aregbesola, and should realise that being a people’s governor goes beyond a made-for-television eating of roasted corn or riding Okada.

“The message which the use of masked gun men sends to the populace is that of intimidation, harassment, espionage, sabotage, assassination and terrorism. No one seeking to rule a state should want to be portrayed in that light. Therefore, we call on Mr Omisore to immediately halt the use of masked gun men unless of course it is a deliberate ploy to intimidate and terrorize the same people he wants to govern.

“Mr Omisore and the PDP should please spare the peaceful people of Osun state any further harassment and intimidation. The PDP should prevail on its candidate to be civil. A man who wants to rule a state should not be afraid to mix freely with the same people. Osun people say no to ‘ninjas’.

“If Omisore and the PDP think we are crying wolf, they should monitor comments being made on the picture that has been posted in the social media showing a ‘ninja’ standing behind the PDP governorship candidate. Perhaps, then they will realize how much they have goofed.”