KWARA State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday traded accusations over last Saturdays National Assembly elections in the state.While the ACN accused the PDP of intimidating its members during the polls, the PDP alleged that the ACN governorship candidate, Mohammed Dele Belgore, introduced a new wave of violence to politics in the state.At a press briefing in Ilorin, the state capital, the state chairman of ACN, Mr. Gabriel Olawepo, alleged that the PDP connived with some security agents to prevent members of the ACN to exercise their franchise.While warning of the consequences of the allegations to the nations democracy, Olawepo urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guard against recurrence of the ugly incidence in subsequent elections in the state.Besides, the party sharply criticised the alleged usage of coercive powers by some government officials in the state during the polls in order for them to win elections in their wards at all costs.Although he spoke more on the elections in Kwara-Central and South Senatorial Districts where he alleged electoral sharp practices and deliberate delay in the distributions of ballot papers to eligible voters, he said complaints in the Kwara-North Senatorial Districts were being compiled as at the time of the conference.At this point, we dare say that we did not lose the last NASS election for lack of support from the good people of Kwara State. Indeed, as the results clearly show - even in the face of manipulations and lawlessness exhibited by our opponents - the people of the state made a loud statement to the world that they were ready for genuine liberation, he said.On his part, Alhaji Mohammed Dan Mairomu, the publicity secretary of the PDP in state, said: The party wishes to make it known to Mr. Belgore that violence in politics is alien to the state and he should be stopped from introducing same into our body politics, as such action lends credence to the fact that ACN is out to foment trouble rather than develop the state.As a legal practitioner of a SANs status, the ACN candidate should know that holding demonstrations without police permit is illegal and he should, therefore, not attempt to disrupt the peace and tranquillity being enjoyed by the people of the state.If at any point in time Mr. Belgore is aggrieved for whatever is the outcome of the election result arising from the National Assembly election that was conducted on Saturday, April 9, 2011, the best option for him is to go to the court, which is the most appropriate place to seek redress.
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