The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State has called on voters to reject candidates from political parties recently labeled as “terrorist organisations” by a Canadian court in tomorrow, Saturday’s bye-election in the state.
This was contained in a statement released by the state Chairman of the party, Michael Ogunlade in Ibadan, the state capital, on Friday.
It will be recalled that a two-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Musiliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban, died during a brief illness in Abuja in 2024.
Okunlade charged the electorates to support only candidate with integrity and a proven commitment to peaceful democratic processes.
He said, “This follows a landmark judgment from a Federal Court in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, which reportedly classified ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party as terrorist groups over alleged involvement in ballot box snatching, intimidation, and electoral violence.
“The judgment confirmed long-standing allegations by civil society and opposition leaders about the violent nature of elections under both parties. The ruling is a wake-up call to Nigerian voters to end the cycle of fear, bloodshed, and corruption that has marred our democracy for over two decades.
“Voting for APC or PDP tomorrow is a vote for impunity. The world is watching us, and the Canadian Court’s decision has put our political system under international scrutiny.
“The people must now rise to reject violence and vote for a party with clean hands and a genuine track record of service. The SDP, unlike the dominant parties, has consistently run issue-based campaigns and avoided thuggery.”
The chairman further claimed that the court’s verdict should embolden law enforcement and the judiciary in Nigeria to investigate and prosecute electoral offenders.
According to him, the culture of political violence will only end when voters unite to reject those who profit from chaos, noting that the SDP candidates across the state had signed a peace pledge, committing to a violence-free election.
Okunlade, therefore, appealed to the security agencies to remain neutral during the polls and to protect voters from harassment or intimidation.
“Any attempt to manipulate the process or overlook acts of violence would undermine Nigeria’s international reputation, especially in light of the Canadian court’s ruling. (Daily Sun)