Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, staged a protest against alleged intimidation by the traditional ruler of the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like “Election is not war” and “Stop cursing residents voting for other parties.”

The party called for caution and peace from leaders and elders in the community, saying PDP in Imota brought development to the community.

The protesters moved around the community displaying their placards. They also visited the palace of the traditional ruler to express their grievances.

Adewale Oyebo, PDP candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikorodu Constituency 2, appealed to the community leaders to allow residents to vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming governorship and assembly election.

“Traditional rulers are not supposed to be political, but in this area of Imota, the ruler is intimidating voters with charms and cursing those who will want to vote for other parties apart from the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he alleged.

Also, Adedolapo Arowolo, chairman of Ward B1 Imota, appealed to party supporters and electorates to disregard the intimidation and concentrate on canvassing people to vote to avoid voters’ apathy.

“This is the usual attitude of our traditional leaders in this area, especially during an election period. Eventually, it will cause voter apathy because they have instilled fear into the electorates,” he said.

Responding, the traditional ruler, Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, said he directed other traditional leaders to perform rituals to the gods to ensure peace and avert any violence that may occur during the election in the community.

“It is indeed true that we did something (‘etutu’) in Imota, but it is for the benefit and peace of our community. However, no name or party was mentioned. When I saw them, I thought they were doing a political campaign or rally, not knowing it was a protest because I was in the palace,” said the Imota ruler.

He added, “We only do ‘etutu’ for the community to be peaceful during election considering what we have gone through in the past on violence during elections. There are about 26 political parties; why is it that only the PDP are the ones complaining? I don’t want anybody to overheat the polity.” 

(NAN)