The leadership of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) Mandate Elders Forum, Ondo State chapter, on Wednesday condemned the attack on the State Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin, describing it as a grave affront to party values and democratic culture.
The group, led by its chairman, Erastus Akeju, spoke at a press conference in Akure following the violent disruption of a stakeholders’ meeting at the APC secretariat on Tuesday and the alleged assault on Adetimehin and other party leaders believed to be loyal to the Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Akeju, represented by Mr. Demola Ijabiyi, described the beating and public humiliation of Adetimehin and other elders by hoodlums who invaded the party office as unfortunate and unacceptable.
“The violent assault and public humiliation of the Ondo State APC Chairman, together with other respected elders and stakeholders, by persons who chose confrontation over dialogue, is deeply disturbing. Political engagement must never descend into lawlessness. When disagreement loses the discipline of civility, the seed of bitterness is sown,” he said.
The forum warned that violence and intimidation pose serious threats to internal democracy.
“Let it be stated clearly: intimidation, thuggery and violence have no place in a democratic environment. Our party was built on dialogue, persuasion and collective purpose, not on fear or coercion,” Akeju added.
He cautioned against the emergence of factions within the party, stressing that the APC’s overriding focus should remain the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“There is no basis for factions in a party whose overriding preoccupation today is the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Any rivalry or tendency that distracts from this collective mission must be condemned without reservation,” he stated.
According to him, the attack on party leaders within the secretariat symbolised a dangerous erosion of political values.
“When elders are dishonoured and leaders attacked within the very structure meant to symbolise unity and order, the moral fabric of political engagement is weakened. This assault is not only against persons; it is an affront to the values and integrity of the APC. Silence in the face of misconduct only nourishes impunity, and elders must always speak when order is at risk.”
The group called on President Tinubu, as leader of the party, to intervene and restore calm and discipline within the state chapter.
“We respectfully call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of our great party to lend his moral authority toward restoring calm, ensuring accountability and reaffirming that violence can never be a pathway to political relevance,” Akeju said.
The forum also urged the national leadership of the APC to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and impose appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“There must be a thorough investigation, appropriate sanctions where necessary, and clear directives that reinforce discipline and internal security across party structures. Justice must be firm yet fair, because discipline without fairness breeds resentment, while fairness without discipline invites disorder,” the group stated.
Byline
Fidelis David in Akure
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