Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in 2019 elections in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu has raised an alarm of danger to his life by some unknown persons which he alleged might not be unconnected with political development in the State.
He disclosed this on the sideline of the debate organized for five political parties by the Kwara Coalition of Business and Professional Associations (KWACOBPA) in Ilorin on Tuesday.
Answering questions on critical issues on economy, peace and security at the interactive session, Comrade Aremu regretted that Kwara State hitherto known as a state of harmony has witnessed serial day light robberies in such commercial cities like Offa and Omuaran. He observed that there can be no development without peace adding Labour Party underscored peace as a critical success factor in the push for what he called “Kwara renewal”.
Comrade Aremu who hailed the security forces for maintaining peace however noted without sustaining jobs to keep the youth gainfully engaged, youth violence was inevitable. He promised mass jobs by reindustrializing Kwara State.
Comrade Aremu advised contestants in 2019 elections to promote peaceful issues based campaigns, adding the eyes “should be on the political ball not on the legs”. He said contestants are right “to disagree on policy issues but must not necessarily be disagreeable as brothers and sisters”.
The LP candidate revealed that some unknown people in two cars with Kwara and NASS number plates respectively were allegedly on his trail Monday morning in Abuja and disclosed that he had notified the new Ag. Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters, ABUJA Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, in a letter he made available to the media.
He therefore urged the IGP to take “prompt action” to ensure his physical protection throughout the campaigns and beyond”.
The Labour Party candidate suggested that the state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Fatai should partner with the state police command, State Security Services ( SSS) and INEC to ensure free and fair elections. He advised that the state governor as a state chief security officer should ensure secured campaigns through preventive measures as opposed to what he called “panicky ban measures after avoidable clashes and violence”.
Comrade Aremu also urged all political parties to emulate the peaceful and organized approach of the LP so as not undermine the electoral process as well give excuse for what he called “antidemocratic forces” to undermine the forthcoming elections.