The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday frowned at the visit by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olajide ‘Jandor’ Adediran, to persons whose vehicles were auctioned for violating traffic rules.

APC’s publicity secretary, Seye Oladejo, described Mr Adediran and his running mate, Funke Akindele, as being desperate, promoting lawlessness, and playing politics with human lives.

“It’s saddening that Jandor and his deputy, Funke Akindele, have graduated from playing politics with human lives to blatantly encouraging the break down of law and order in our dear state,” APC said in a statement on Sunday.

On Thursday, the state government auctioned 134 vehicles impounded for several traffic offences on the ground that their owners ran away and failed to turn up for “court process”.

The exercise generated a lot of reactions, with the PDP 2023 governorship candidate and his running mate subsequently visiting the owners of two of the vehicles in their homes to placate them.

The candidate’s media aide, Gbenga Ogunleye, stated on Saturday that Mr Adediran and his running mate visited the homes of Lateef Kolapo and Osinachi Ndukwe, both drivers whose vehicles were auctioned.

He stated that Mr Adediran discovered during the visit that Mr Ndukwe, who drove against traffic, was arrested and imprisoned for three months after his car was impounded.

Mr Adediran said during Mr Ndukwe’s jail term, he lost his three-year-old daughter owing to a lack of funds to cater to her health.

However, the APC spokesperson described Mr Adediran’s action as unacceptable, saying “the move amounts to turning compassion and charity on its head.”

“We are not surprised by the promotion of lawlessness by the opposition party as it remains consistent with their desperation as we count down to the next elections,” he said.

“The PDP may wish to note that Lagos residents are not fooled by their constantly playing to the gallery because they have nothing to offer.

“Our government has the political will and duty to uphold the state’s laws at all times without succumbing to needless blackmail in the name of irresponsible politicking,” Mr Oladejo stressed. 

(NAN)