CNPP alleges planned clampdown on opposition in Kwara, minister denies

About 18 political parties, under the auspices of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), yesterday raised the alarm that the Federal Government was planning to clampdown on opposition parties in Kwara State.But Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed denied the claim, saying thugs; other criminals and their alleged sponsors were jittery.

The group, while addressing reporters in Ilorin, cited the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohamed, as the arrowhead of the planned onslaught.It called on stakeholders in the national polity to halt the alleged tactics.State Chairman of the CNPP, Adebayo Lawal, and Secretary, Olufemi Adeleke, alleged that the minister has been strategising with the new Inspector General of Police to perfect the plan.

They claimed that the plot is to replicate what happened during the November 17, 2018 by-election in Irepodun/Oke-Ero/Isin/Ekiti Federal Constituency of the state, where some opposition members were arrested to pave way for the APC to manipulate the process.

“We have called this press conference to draw the attention of the fourth estate of the realm, civil societies, international community and the general public to the plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to use security agencies to harass and intimidate opposition parties in the state.

“We have it on good authority that the minister has compiled and submitted to the Inspector General of Police, the names of influential members and grassroots canvassers of the PDP and other opposition parties in the state.

According to them, the marked people are to be arrested and detained before, during and after the elections.They recalled that in the last by-election in the state, the minister ordered the arrest of PDP members for no reason, to allow the APC and its thugs to manipulate the electoral process.

“Lai Mohammed is a seasonal politician and serial election loser, who had not won any election in his ward in his entire political career until the last by-election, where he successfully manipulated the electoral process throughthe aid of security officials.”

“Having realised that he cannot deliver his ward, not to talk of the whole state to his party, the minister and his cohorts in the APC are embarking on another retrogressive plan to undermine the electoral process,” CUPP alleged.

The coalition alleged that the minister is currently involved in a corruption case that also includes the Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and warned that the matter should not be swept under the carpet.While urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to be partial, the CUPP also called on the UK and the USA to stand by its pledge to deny visa to politicians who instigate violence, or are involved in electoral fraud in the upcoming general elections.