By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, Abdulraheem Ohiare, has declared a ban on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) political rallies and meetings.
The Chairman gave the declaration at a security meeting on Wednesday, with traditional rulers and heads of security agencies in attendance.
Our Correspondent gathered that the ban is connected with the recent song sang by members of the party during their rally,a development considered by the chairman as abusive and denigrating against the Governor of the state,Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Ochiji Obojo, the media aide to Chairman, quoted his boss as expressing displeasure over the PDP rally that held last weekend where abusive songs were allegedly chanted.
He said:”The council Boss couldn’t hide his displeasure on the matter and emphatically expresses his dissatisfaction on the deliberate silence by Traditional Chiefs in Ihima, for not proactively condemning the rally proceedings on any public media since the incident happened.
“The Council boss, in his usual quest to avert every event capable of plugging the community into domestic and political crisis, has ordered immediate investigation into such nefarious act by PDP against the State Governor.
“The initiators of such vulgar songs must be arrested and brought to book by the security agents.
“He reiterated that his administration would not stand seeing any citizen of Okehi insulting His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and go scot-free.
“He further directed the DPO to swing into action for proper investigation, and to henceforth, ban subsequent rally or ward meeting by PDP in Ihima till the perpetuators are arrested for prosecutions”.
The Ohi of Ihima, HRH Abdulraheem Ahmed Ogido, who spoke for the traditional rulers, said that they condemned the act when the said song went viral on social media.
The Ohi,who is also the Chairman of the Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers, assured of the support of the traditional council in the area for investigation that would bring perpetrators to book.
Meanwhile, the Ihima Welfare Association (IWA) has told the Chairman to trade with caution in his actions and expressions.
Meanwhile,the President of Ihima Welfare Association (IWA), Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivassa, noted that the traditional rulers and the association were trying to mediate to avoid reoccurrence of what transpired during the PDP outing in other political outings.
He, therefore, urged the Chairman to refrain from statements capable of causing crises in the land.
“We should all join hands to ensure peaceful conduct in the campaigns of all the political parties and in the coming general elections, so that the best and the most credible candidates can emerge to serve our land.
IWA appealed to political leaders and their followers to adopt matured, wise method of issue-based campaign to win the support of the electorate to ensure electoral victory in the coming general elections.
“We appeal also to His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State to kindly as the Father of the State, develop strong shock absorber to tolerate and absolve negative remarks from his opponents in the interest of peace.
“The oppositions should also exercise sense of maturity, sense of discipline and be Patriotic in their conduct during campaigns and display high principles of politics without bitterness as an exemplary conduct to avoid crisis.
“We are tired of crisis and we cannot afford to compromise our peace in Egbiraland, this time for anything any longer. May God help us,” Anivassa urged.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
