As a committed member of the All Progressives Congress APC, I strongly condemn the deliberate removal and destruction of campaign posters belonging to Hon. Michael Afolabi Olakunle MIKEY across parts of Akure North and Akure South Local Government Areas, particularly along the Central Mosque to Cathedral axis.
Politics must never be reduced to acts of intimidation, vandalism, or any conduct that threatens the values of democracy. Every aspirant and political stakeholder has a constitutional right to peacefully campaign, engage citizens, and present their vision without fear of harassment, sabotage, or violence. The deliberate targeting of campaign materials is not just an attack on a candidate, it is an attack on the democratic space that belongs to all Nigerians.
This unfortunate act of political intolerance does not represent the spirit of healthy democratic engagement we seek to build in Ondo State and across Nigeria. True democracy is a contest of ideas, not a contest of who can destroy posters or silence opponents. Rather than tearing down materials, political actors should focus on marketing their achievements, articulating their manifestos, and earning the trust of the electorate through credible programs.
I call on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Independent National Electoral Commission to thoroughly investigate this incident. Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others. Law enforcement must send a clear message that political thuggery and vandalism have no place in our democracy. The peace and security of Akure must be protected before, during, and after the electioneering period.
To supporters of Hon. Michael Afolabi Olakunle and members of the public, I urge calm and restraint. Do not respond to provocation. Remain law abiding, peaceful, and committed to issue based political participation. No act of intimidation can suppress the collective voice of the people or halt the growing support for a candidate who has connected with the masses through vision and service.
Our democracy will only thrive when we uphold fairness, mutual respect, and the rule of law. Let us reject politics of bitterness and embrace politics of development. Let us protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the will of the people prevails.
Signed:
Comrade John Samuel O.
National Convener, United Voice for Progress in Nigeria
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