Guber Election: Governor Abiodun reacts to reports of violence during poll

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has condemned pockets of violence in some parts of the state during the conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

ValidView Network had earlier reported that the poll was characterized by violence, ballot boxes snatching among other electoral offences.

But the governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Saturday night blamed opposition elements, saying rather than subjecting the exercise to the people’s choice, these undemocratic characters turned a seamless electoral process to a do or die affairs.

Gov. Abiodun said the reports of the violence came as a surprise, as the election started on a peaceful note across the state.

Somorin added that the state governor seriously frowned at the situation, which, according to him, will not be condoned.

He said though normalcy had returned to the affected areas as security agencies swiftly responded, the state government would not hesitate to deal with anyone or groups behind the poll disruption, attacks on voters and snatching of ballot boxes.

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While the statement urged the people and residents in the state to remain calm and law-abiding, it further warned that the state government would not treat anyone responsible for the violence with kids’ gloves.

“The law will take care of those caught to serve as a deterrent to their paymasters and their wards for violating the peaceful atmosphere that Ogun is noted for,” the statement submitted.