By Yakubu Temitope
The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, on Tuesday decried what he described as unwarranted harassment of some candidates of the party in Ibadan, Oyo state capital by security agents.
The visibly enraged ZLP chairman who was in Ibadan for the mega rally, laid the blame at the doorstep of the state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Nwanyanwu who led members of the party’s National Working Committee and a leader of the party, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to the rally, said: “I am aware that our candidate here, Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, who is contesting the Ibadan South-West/North-West federal constituency is being harassed and threatened with arrest. We know why and who is behind it.
“It is not a crime that Ajanaku left the APC for another platform to seek his aspiration. He is a Nigerian who has right to aspire without being harassed.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell Gov. Abiola Ajimobi to stop harassing Ajanaku. We will hold him responsible if anything happens to Ajanaku before, during and after this general election,” he said.
Nwanyanwu called on IGP Mohammed Adamu to live by his promise, while urging him to caution his officers, particularly the CP’s from harassing Nigerians.
“To the IGP, we were all happy on your appointment. I was among the many Nigerians who congratulated you on the appointment. This was because we believe in your capability.
“In your acceptance speech, you promised to return professionalism to the police which make us believe it is not going to be business as usual. We hope you will adhere to this.
“I implore you to ensure that Nigerians enjoy their rights to aspire and vote for candidates of their choice,” he said.
He described the ZLP as a party to beat in the state, saying the party has all it takes to rejig the economy of the state.
Nwanyanwu said that the party had carefully chosen its candidates, saying they are people of proven integrity, sincerity and unquestionable antecedents.
“Before, Oyo state used to be between 1st to 5th position in West African Senior School Certificate Examinations but now roaming around 26th position.
“Also, LAUTECH used to be one of the best universities in the country until recently when this changed. All these are consequences of a bad government in the state. Only ZLP has all it takes to address these problem,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Wole Abisoye, the State Chairman, said the party which was formed a month ago had really grown to become the hope of the electorates in the state.
He described the party as one which makes promises and fulfill them, saying that was evident in the antecedents of their leader, former Gov. Rashidi Ladoja.
“Our leader is a specialist who uses a new and perceived small party to attain victory as well as greater achievements.
“Our governorship candidate is the only one who have undergone political tutelage among his co-contestants, ” he said.
Nwanyanwu presented the party’s flag to all candidates in the state among who are Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, the governorship candidate, Ajanaku and many others.
