Dayo Johnson – Akure
The Transition Monitoring Group which is a coalition of over 400 civil society organisations has condemned the ‘invasion’ of Ondo state by some state governors ahead of the Saturday governorship election.
Its chairman, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said in Akure at a pre-election press briefing that the “refusal of these governors to leave the state constituted a threat to the peaceful and credible conduct of the election.
findings showed that present and former state governors from the two major political parties, the All Progressive Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have arrived in the state since Wednesday.
According to her these state governors “could use their immunity to get involved in malpractices like vote-buying, intimidation and could also sponsor political violence.
Akiyode-Afolabi said, “TMG condemns the practice of governors from other states that have invaded Ondo State and refused to leave after the campaign has ended.
“These governors who travelled and sponsored their political expedition with the meagre resources of their states may constitute a threat to free and fair election by taking advantage of their immunity to be involved in election malpractices like vote-buying, intimidation of security operatives and sponsorship of political violence.
“All invading governors should leave since the campaign has ended.”
-Vanguard