By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Apparently disturbed by the vicious attacks on its supporters during the Lagos Mega Rally, the Labour Party has called on the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to instruct the security agencies to pay special attention to Lagos state and the entire South East region to prevent any breach of peace as Nigerians go to the polls from Saturday, February 25.
This clarion call was made to the government by Colonel Leo Abara (Rtd), Director, Security Committee of Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, while speaking on Channels Television special breakfast programme, The 2023 Verdict monitored in Abuja on Wednesday.
Col. Abara argued that there is need for the Federal Government to to ensure that there is relative peace in Nigeria especially in the identified flashpoint such as Lagos state and the South East geopolitical zone, where he alleged hoodlums are running amock.
Said he: “I will want the Federal Government to pay attention to Lagos and the entire. There are potential threats to the smooth conduct of elections there because of the activities of hoodlums. Lagos state should be a state of interest to security agencies because of what Labour Party supporters have suffered in there.
“Labour Party held its Presidential Rallies across 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Abuja peacefully except in Lagos state where many of our supporters suffered were attacked and many suffered several bodily injuries.
“I do not understand why hoodlums will be let loose in the streets of Lagos to inflict such injuries on fellow citizens and up till today nobody is arrested and punished by both the state and federal government. This is why I am calling on the authorities to place Lagos and South East under watch”.
Asked what the Labour Party flagbearer Peter Obi will do differently on the issue of security if he is voted into the office on February 25, Col. Abara said his principal is prepared to tackle insecurity headlong when he is Sworn in as the next President of Nigeria on May 29.
“It has to be said that only Peter Obi amongst the Presidential candidates, who has promised to fight insecurity to a standstill. Peter Obi has said that he will fight insecurity with technology. For now what obtains is that if you want to know what crime was commited, you go to the scenes but if Peter Obi becomes the President, you will seat in a room to see who wants to commit crimes and deal with the person.
“Peter Obi will adopt kinetic and none kinetic means to deal with criminals and criminality they way he dealt with insecurity when he was the Governor of Anambra state which earned him commendations and recognition from the former Inspector General of Police”, Col. Abara stated.
The former military top brass therefore urged Nigerians to troop out enmass to vote for Labour Party’s Peter Obi and his running mate Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed on Saturday, February 25 to usher in a new Nigeria where security of live and properties will be top priority of the President.
