Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, held a closed-door meeting with chieftains of political parties and security agencies ahead of 2019 polls in Ogun State. The meeting, which lasted for about two hours, was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the state capital and was attended by representatives of four political parties.

The parties were the All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The security agencies included the Police, Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security Service (DSS). Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Ogun State Chairman of ADP, Mr. Wale Egunleti described it as “fruitful.”

He said the meeting centred on the need to maintain peace before, during and after the forthcoming elections in the state.He said: “We agreed to show good examples by maintaining peace and decorum in our activities throughout the election period. Ogun is known for peace and we all agreed to collaborate to maintain the enviable standard.

“The elder statesman advised us to shun violence and deployment of thugs for a peaceful election. He also urged us to always inform security agencies whenever we are going out on campaign in order to avoid clash with other political parties.”Egunleti explained that the participants resolved to meet regularly to review activities for increased collaboration and to enhance a free, fair and credible elections in the state.

He urged members and supporters of various political parties to be accommodating for successful elections.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the meeting came on the heels of a clash between two political parties last Thursday in Abeokuta during which several people were injured and property destroyed.
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