Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka popularly known as GNI in political circle across the State has not only become a household name but also one of the strongest contenders for the governorship seat of Ogun State.

The accomplished Accountant while addressing selected journalists recently at the PDP secretariat, Abeokuta spoke about intolerance of his arch rival, Senator Ibikunle Amosun the incumbent Governor of Ogun State. WALE ADEWUMI was there too. Excerpts…

“As the elections draw nearer, it is imperative for every stakeholder to play their part in ensuring not only a free and fair election where true results are announced and winners declared, but we have an election where there is peace and the lives and property of the citizens are protected.

The foundation for these is predicated upon an electoral process that is open and devoid of tendencies that can endanger the whole process and putting the efforts of candidates in jeopardy. The first issue is the unacceptable level of distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters in Ogun state, the second is the political intolerance of the outgoing government under Governor Ibikunle Amosun while the third is the intimidation of workers.

Firstly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released statistics of the distribution of PVCs to various states about two weeks ago and in the report it became known that Ogun state had only achieved about 40% distribution which was abysmally low. Of the 1,795,794 registered voters, INEC has distributed 899,214 PVCs; while 474,078 are yet to be collected.

Percentage performance of PVCs received is 65.6%, but if we benchmark it against cards already collected, then it is 50.1%. This means it is just half of eligible voters that can vote; which by implication means about half of our electorate are disenfranchised. I’m however aware that INEC in Ogun state just received about 170,000 PVCs from its headquarters. That is a good news but it’s still a far cry from our expectations.

The other implication of the inadequate PVCs is the dispersion of the shortage which we must sound clear.

The distribution is quite curious as our people suspect clear attempt to exclude eligible voters in the Ogun west areas; where I happen to come from. Let it be stated that the Yewa/Awori people are very determined to vote ‘en masse’ in order to make their dream of producing the governor of Ogun state a reality.

I am using this medium to implore INEC to be circumspect and make sure that as many Ogun eligible voters (across the state) that turned in their TVCs get their PVCs; especially in Ogun west so that they will be able to perform their civic duties. We shall not accept any surreptitious attempt to give advantage to a particular candidate by disenfranchising my people. Let those concerned take note and be appropriately guided.

Secondly, we are for the umpteenth time bringing to the public notice the unusual but alarming political intolerance that has so far been displayed by Governor Amosun and his party, APC. You all will recall I addressed the press at the Okeilewo junction few weeks back where a campaign effigy of mine was removed at the spot and at NNPC junction by agents of the APC and Ibikunle Amosun.

I must emphasize at this juncture that a well orchestrated and systemic destructive process has been let loose on the campaign billboards and posters of myself and other PDP candidates in the last few days. These attacks have now been extended to members of our party that go on lawful campaigns and gatherings. This is barbaric, condemnable, disgusting and unacceptable.

Between 25th and 26th of February, hoodlums on the campaign train of Governor Amosun while passing through some towns in Ogun East, meted mayhem on the PDP members, vandalized vehicles, billboards and posters of the PDP candidates. Earlier on 15th of February, the billboard of President Goodluck Jonathan located at Premier High School and Ibara Orile junction were destroyed. The two standing effigies of mine were out-rightly carted away in the dead of the night by gun-wielding boys identified to be APC members.

My billboard located at Ijebu-Ode junction leading to Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) was destroyed by APC goons. Our agent who installed the billboards at Ilishan Remo was harassed to remove it by APC members stating that the governor, scheduled to visit the area the next day must not see the issue-based board. On 28th February, the billboard of Mr. President and myself was vandalized at Ago-Iwoye during Amosun’s campaign to the area.

At the last count, over forty (40) standing boards of our candidates have either been destroyed or stolen. In many other locations, the teams installing our boards and posters have been brutalized. Recently, another effigy of mine that was placed at OPIC roundabout was again carted away by these shameless persons. Also, Governor Amosun who had nothing to do around the Ogbe area in Abeokuta but passing through Totoro road made a detour and intentionally went through the road where Dr. Bisola Sodipo Clark was having her campaign. He ordered thugs in his convoy to beat up the people and scatter the event. This was an order they carried out effectively leaving trails of blood.

All the aforementioned are just a few instances of the “regime of brutality” that Amosun and the APC have subjected the PDP to in the last two months. As the elections draw near, these people are becoming desperate sensing how they have become unpopular. They have sensed defeat and resorted to highhandedness and political brigandage.

Thirdly, the government again extended this evil campaign on innocent civil servants perceived as being sympathetic to the PDP. We have been inundated with several queries being issued to workers for not being around their offices and concluding that they must have been at PDP events; whereas, we know that it is Amosun that has co-opted top civil servants into his rallies and even forcing them to speak at such campaign grounds.

It is shameful that the government could subject workers to such mental torture and blackmail over speculations and assumptions. For example, a worker is supposed to state his/her whereabouts in his reply, but the query issued concluded that, those affected were “actively participating in a rally at Imeko’. This is ridiculous, preemptive and speculative. It is a deliberate ploy to unjustly punish these persons and a clear case of intimidation.

Politically motivated queries should not be used against civil servants. The witch-hunting and intimidation of supposed sympathizers of any political party must seize forthwith.

As I close these remarks, we detest and condemn this gale of violence. While my campaign organization and the PDP adhere to the good principles of political engagement, the APC have been extremely provocative and tried to turn the state into a theater of violence and blood-letting; but we will not join their game.

The APC billboards, A-board and posters adorn everywhere including federal roads which are under the purview of the PDP but they have not been destroyed or removed. Whereas, section 100(2) of the electoral act 2011 (as amended) stipulates that, “state apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party/candidate at any election”. Consequently, the action of the Ogun Signage and Advertisement Agency (OGSAA) at removing my effigies in three successions is blatant and irresponsible use of “state apparatus” to the disadvantage of GNI and the PDP.

Finally, I urge my supporters and the good people of Ogun state not to be intimidated by the antics of the Amosun-led APC government that is on its way out of office. Having made life difficult for the masses, demolishing their livelihoods and pilfering their commonwealth via dubious road projects, these intimidations are the last card they have. I assure all Ogun citizens that the oppressive regime will terminate on 29th May 2015, when I will come in to wipe their tears and make life more abundant for our people.

I also sympathize and identify with our workers that are currently on strike due to the insensitivity and callousness of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. I assure them that their dignity will be restored and their welfare guaranteed from this May. After darkness shall definitely come light, I implore everyone to go out on the 28th of March to vote for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and again demonstrate our resolve by voting for me on the 11th of April.”