Violence in Nigerian politics
The tragedy of 2019 is what led to the retaliation of the occurrence of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) youth leader of Mushin Local Government and the Executive council of the 2023 general elections being maimed by assailants
On 22nd October 2022, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) took it’s campaign train to the Lagos West Senatorial District of Badadry Local Government Area with it’s gubernatorial candidate Dr Olajide Adediran alias JANDOR and his Deputy Funke Akindele who were on Sunday evening attacked by suspected miscreants while returning from their campaign at Ikoga junction,Badadry local government..
The thugs cum miscreants were chanting All Progressive Congress(AP)C songs while shooting and brandishing machetes. Several people, including journalists and party executives, sustained multiple injuries and were rushed to undisclosed hospitals for treatment as majority were in critical conditions.
Mr Fatai Sholanke who happens to be a Youth Leader of People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Mushin Local Government area of Lagos state, Special Adviser to the Chairman Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria and Executive member of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Committee reiterated that he had petitioned the party secretariat on the attack and threat on his life by the Lagos State Parks and Garage Magt in person of Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya alias MC Oluomo who vowed to use politically sponsored thugs to dislodge him,party faithful and aggrieved members by putting an abrupt end to all the political rallies and campaign within the locality.
The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into the incident, assuring that no stone will be left unturned to arrest and prosecute the attackers. The command noted that the Divisional Police Officer of Badagry had been notified of the campaign train’s movement and adequate security was provided. However,he claimed the party reportedly made an unscheduled visit to a different location without notifying the police, which might have contributed to the security breach which the party(PDP) was quick to refutel
This incident is part of a larger pattern of violence and thuggery that has plagued Nigeria’s electoral process. Prior to the general elections, politicians exploited loopholes in the Electoral Act to unleash violence and rigging, leading to the disenfranchisement of many voters. The Centre for Democracy and Development reported 39 deaths and numerous cases of violence during the campaign programs of the gubernatorial candidacy of Dr Abdul Azeez Olajide Adediran alias JANDOR.
The threats of life now looks beyond the campaign as there have been multiple attempts on the life of Mr Fatai Olayinka Sholanke Youth Leader and some aggrieved members being closely monitored as their offices and homes has been attacked on several occasion without getting respite from the appropriate security apparatus in the state
In ieu of these incessant antecedents Mr Fatai Olayinka Sholanke and his aggrieved members were advised to go on self exile to safe guard their lives and that of there family members.
