Security agent kills PDP supporter at Ondo collation centre

Reps candidate alleges suppression, violence in Lagos

A Security personnel, yesterday, killed a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporter in Ondo State during the collation of results at Owena Ayetoro in Idanre Local Council.

Akinlabi Akinnaso (popularly known as ‘Oluomo’) lost his life at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collation Centre in the council, following an alleged scuffle with armed security personnel stationed at the centre.

One of the sources, who craved anonymity, disclosed that Akinnaso, a car dealer, refused to leave the hall, when the security personnel instructed him to leave.

“He (the deceased) arrived at the collation centre and started hurrying the electoral officials to announce the result. The security operative approached him and told him to leave, but he was adamant. It was at the point of trying to push him out, which he resisted, that he was shot.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident. Body of the late party supporter was deposited in the mortuary of General Hospital, Idanre, after he was certified dead by a medical doctor.

ALSO, Omogeye Campaign Organisation has alleged voter suppression and intimidation by suspected political thugs, who attacked Labour Party (LP) faithful in Amuwo-Odofin to distort the electoral process.

The LP House of Representatives candidate for Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State, George Adegeye, said the ruling party in the state resorted to violence when it became clear that LP was already coasting home to victory in nine of the 11 wards in Amuwo-Odofin.

Deputy Director, Media and Strategic Communication Bureau, of the campaign organisation, Ganiyu Ajiroba, stated: “We had earlier raised the alarm about the nefarious activities of All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs since it became clear that LP Presidential and House of Representatives candidates are leading with very wide margins in Amuwo Odofin.

“All attempts by APC to change and subvert original results have failed. From available results, Adegeye has won nine of the 11 wards in the Federal Constituency. The results pained the ruling party, as thugs started attacking LP agents at the INEC office in Amuwo-Odofin yesterday, even in the presence of police officers. Six of our party agents sustained injuries as a result of gunshots and are presently getting medical care.”

According to him, it is sad that the police officers could not protect LP faithful, who are at the INEC office to protect their votes. 

He alleged: “Some INEC officials are colluding with the APC to change results in their favour. This plot will never work in their favour because our people will protect their votes, even with their lives, if the need arises.”