Labour Party ( LP) gubernatorial candidate in 2019 elections in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu has raised an alarm of threat to his life by some unknown persons,a development which he alleged might not be unconnected with political trend in the State.
He disclosed this at the sideline of the debate organized for five political parties by the Kwara Coalition of Business and Professional Associations (KWACOBPA) in Ilorin on Tuesday.
Answering questions on critical issues on economy, peace and security at the interactive session, Comrade Aremu regretted that Kwara State hitherto known as a state of harmony has witnessed serial day light robberies in such commercial cities like Offa and Omuaran. He observed that there can be no development without peace adding Labour Party underscored peace as a critical success factor in the push for what he called “Kwara renewal”. Comrade Aremu who hailed the security forces for maintaining peace however noted without sustaining jobs to keep the youth gainfully engaged, youth violence was inevitable. He promised mass jobs by reindustrializing Kwara State. Comrade Aremu advised contestants in 2019 elections to promote peaceful issues based campaigns, adding the eyes “should be on the political ball not on the legs”. He said contestants are right “to disagree on policy issues but must not necessarily be disagreeable as brothers and sisters”.
The LP candidate revealed that some unknown people in two cars with Kwara and NASS number plates respectively were allegedly on his trail Monday morning in Abuja and disclosed that he had notified the new Ag. Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters, Abuja Mohammed Abubakar Adamu,mni in a letter he made available to the media.
He therefore urged the IGP to take “prompt action” to ensure his physical protection throughout the campaigns and beyond”.
The Labour Party candidate suggested that the state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Fatai should partner with the state police command, State Security Services ( SSS) and INEC to ensure free and fair elections. He advised that the state governor as a state chief security officer should ensure secured campaigns through preventive measures as opposed to what he called “panicky ban measures after avoidable clashes and violence”. Comrade Aremu also urged all political parties to emulate the peaceful and organized approach of the LP so as not undermine the electoral process as well give excuse for what he called “anti-democratic forces” to undermine the forthcoming elections.
His letter to IGP reads as follows:
January 21, 2019
Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, mni
Ag. Inspector General of Police
Police Headquarters
Abuja.
My Dear IG,
DANGER TO MY LIVE AND REQUEST FOR SECURITY
GREETINGS
Kindly accept my warmest greetings and best wishes in the New Year (2019). I once again congratulate you on your appointment as the Ag. Inspector General of Police by President Muhammadu Buhari. As a member of National Institute with earned academic qualifications and wealth of globally acknowledged good record of service, I am confident that in line with AANI motto: Towards A better Society, you will excel in your new assignment.
Kindly count on the assurances of my support and solidarity, as a friend and co-Member of the National Institute.
DANGER
I am constrained to formally bring to your attention the incidence which I witnessed on my way to Mosque for Fajr – (the dawn prayer) prayers today Monday, 21st of January 2019 in Abuja. I stay at Maitama. I often pray at Al Nur Mosque, Wuse 2 along Ibrahim Babangida Way. I left home for mosque this morning. I arrived at the gate of the mosque at 5:30 am for 5:38 am prayers. At the gate for security check I had noticed few meters away from the gate, two cars with hazards lights on parked. I left the mosque 6:15 am. I curiously noticed again the two cars were still there with same hazards lights on. Being security conscious I paused for some reflections. At this point the two cars with Kwara and NASS number plates respectively moved passed the mosque gates and parked some meters ways from the National Pension Commision ( PENCOM). I could not figure the plate numbers exactly because of the speed of the two cars. However it was clear two men came down from the cars apparently waiting for me to come out in their direction. I also noticed them carrying what look like arms. They were also “professionally” seemed positioned. At that point I had to drive off in opposite direction with the legitimate suspicion that I was being trailed by some criminal elements. I thank Almighty Allah that I arrived home safely.
MY PROFILE
The point cannot be overstated that am a member of the National Institute, Kuru Jos, Senior Executive Course (SEC 27) as well as NEC member of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). I could very well assume that my close shave with an ambush this morning is one in the series of security challenges posed by common criminals for which the police had been doing a good job to curtail. However I am also the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Kwara State for the upcoming March 2019 election.
REQUEST
I sincerely count on your prompt action to ensure my physical protection throughout the campaigns and beyond. In view of today’s incidence above mentioned, I request for extra Police details (I have one in Ilorin) to move about with me and further Police presence at my residences in Ilorin and Kaduna.
As a respected member of the National Institute (mni) kindly accept my warmest greetings and regards..
Yours faithfully
COMRADE Issa Aremu, mni
cc: Director General, DSS
cc: Director SSS, Kwara State
cc: Commissioner of Police, Kwara State
