Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 3, Okeagbe, Akoko North West Local Council Area of Ondo State have denied the claim that they were working against the ruling party in the state.

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According to the leaders, who distanced themselves from working for opposition parties, they are being threatened to abolish the Independence Consultative Council (ICC) and renounce their membership.

The APC leaders maintained that the ICC was formed as an independent campaign group across all 18 council areas to ensure the victory of Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa in last year’s governorship election.

Coordinator of ICC, Ward 3, Okeagbe, Akoko North West, Olumide Aliu, who spoke at a press briefing in Akure, the state capital, described it as unimaginable that a section of APC members in Akoko North West began stigmatising party members and labelled them opposition leaders.

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Olumide stated that several meetings of the ICC were disrupted and the leaders maligned and assaulted.

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He said, “All these draconian, primitive, and barbaric actions on the ICC members are not acceptable and will no longer be tolerated henceforth.

“Groups gathering together peacefully for good governance as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution under the charter of freedom of association. Any individual against such a peaceful gathering is indirectly against the Nigerian constitution.

“ICC is not directed or targeted against any individual or group.

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“We will not tolerate any intimidation of our members henceforth for exercising their constitutional rights.”

“We therefore call on Governor Aiyedatiwa for protection for ICC members in Ward 3.”