In response to a viral audio clip in which two men threatened some residents and traders with expulsion from the Eti-Osa community if they didn’t vote for the ruling APC in the general elections, the police in Lagos State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reacted.
Benjamin Hundeyin, a police spokesman, stated to PULSENETS on Sunday that the police were “carrying out a forensic examination on the audio” to find out who was responsible.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, a traditional leader was one of those who made the threat and would be questioned by police.
The results of the police inquiry, according to Mr. Hundeyin, will determine who is summoned for interrogation.
The APC claimed that none of its leaders or members were involved in the audio.
In the 11 minutes and 34 second recording, two men who have not been named seek for PVCs from the traders and residents of Gbara in Eti-Osa at a meeting.
Only approximately 20 persons who were present at the meeting responded in the affirmative when the man asked how many had PVCs.
The man said: “I’m sure, If we take the number of people here, we will not be less than 60, but we have 20 people that have PVCs. What is happening to the rest?
“Because we are ready to fight. Yes, I am not hiding it. I have to be blunt. I have narrated everything to you. In the continent, we have Africa, out of that we have West Africa, in West Africa, we find Nigeria, in Nigeria, there is Lagos; in Lagos, there is Eti-Osa; within Eti-Osa, we have the Gbara community and by the grace of God in Gbara today, we can take our decision.
“The people that will be friends with us are those with PVCs and the people that will be doing business, and making a profit here will only be the people that have their PVCs and are willing to vote for our party — APC. Nothing short of that.
“If you have any other party in mind, as a Nigerian, I’m not holding you, make sure that you are far away from here, just give a gap from Gbara. You want to vote Labour party, you want to vote PDP, it will not be here.”
No voter has ever been threatened in this way before, the man claimed, adding that he was following orders.
He issued a warning, stating that he would not stand by while the residents put his and his children’s futures in danger.
“As it is now, you have all failed. You are ready to battle with us and we are also ready,” he continued.
“For the few who are voting here, we will identify you. The rest of you can no longer stay with us. I’m sorry, so do the needful.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the man asked one “SSG” to carry on.
The “SSG” claimed that the conference was crucial because it involved advancing the country.
His remarks suggested that most of the attendees at the meeting were not Yoruba speakers.
He claimed that “it is because Lagos State is okay”, they had been conducting their business in peace and without interference.
“As you have been benefitting us, we also want to benefit from you. And that is the only thing that can cause problems for us. We have been mandated to talk to you.”
In order to continue conducting business in the neighborhood quietly, the man advised the guests to snap pictures of the candidates they plan to vote for.
The action breaches section 93 of the recently modified Electoral Act 2022, which forbids using violence or force in political campaigns.
“A party, candidate, aspirant, or person or group of persons shall not directly or indirectly threaten any person with the use of force or violence during any political campaign to compel that person or any other person to support or refrain from supporting a political party or candidate,” the law reads.
“A political party, candidate, aspirant, person or group of persons that contravenes the
provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction –
(a) in the case of a candidate, aspirant, or person or group of persons, to a maximum fine of N1,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months; and
(b) in the case of a political party, to a fine of N2,000,000 in the first instance.”
Abdulazeez Adediran, the PDP candidate for governor in the state, called the threats “a desperation of a dying dynasty.”
To prevent the breakdown of law and order, he urged the police to “investigate and invite” those responsible for the audio recording in a statement released on Saturday and signed by his spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye.
“In an audio clips making rounds in social media, some identified leaders of the APC in the Igbara community in Eti Osa Local Government area of the state summoned some residents and business owners in the community to a meeting and issue a threat to evict them from their residences and business premises if they fail to vote for the APC in the forthcoming general elections,” the statement reads.
“This is one among several cases of threat to life and intimidation of voters in other local government areas known to be the strongholds of the PDP.”
The APC spokesperson in the state, Seye Oladejo, responded that the tape is bogus and should be “taken with a pinch of salt.”
He suggested that the opposition party might have produced the audio.
“We are not under any pressure, we are extremely comfortable as we count down to the nation. What will be the basis for the threats and intimidation? There is no point.,” he said.
