Senatorial aspirant for Osun Central Senatorial District, Nathaniel Oduyemi, has condemned acts of political violence, intimidation and lawlessness allegedly perpetrated by individuals associated with political parties in Osun State, describing the trend as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Oduyemi, who is contesting on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress,.NDC, urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.

He also called on the police and other security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibilities impartially and without fear or favour.

According to him, he remains committed to politics anchored on peace, inclusion and development, saying he would not engage in violence or politics of hatred because the future of the people is more important than any election.

The statement reads: “I strongly condemn, in the clearest possible terms, every act of political violence, intimidation and lawlessness allegedly perpetrated by individuals associated with any political party. No political ambition is worth the blood of any son or daughter of Osun State. Democracy should be a contest of ideas and vision, not a battlefield where lives are endangered.

I call on the police and all relevant security agencies to rise to the occasion and discharge their constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour. The situation must not be allowed to deteriorate beyond control. Those responsible for sponsoring or carrying out acts of violence must be identified, shamed and brought to justice. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.

“I also make a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu to intervene before the situation escalates into a full-blown crisis. As the leader of the nation, I urge Mr President to ensure that every necessary step is taken to restore calm, protect lives and property, and reassure the people of Osun that democracy will not be undermined by violence. Failure to act swiftly could expose our people to greater hardship and unimaginable disaster.

“As a senatorial aspirant, I remain committed to a politics of peace, inclusion and development. I refuse to play the politics of hatred or violence because the future of our people is far more important than any election. We must demonstrate that leadership is about service, compassion and responsibility.

“Our youths deserve much better than being recruited as political thugs. They possess enormous talents, intelligence and creativity that should be harnessed for the development of our state and our nation. They should be encouraged to become ministers, directors of industries, entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders not instruments of violence in the hands of desperate politicians.”