POLITICS OF STONING

If it is true that the Ondo State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the intention of stoning presidential candidate of Nigeria's major opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari tomorrow when he comes to the State to campaign, such idea should be dropped.

This is because no Doubt, such an action would dampen more, the already battered image of Nigeria before the international community.

Besides, it would further show how backward and intolerable we are as a people and this would not speak well for the country.

It should be a position of fact, that any presidential candidate has a right to campaign in any part of the country.

It would be recalled today, that the Buhari Campaign Co-ordinator of the state, Ife Oyedele argued that the PDP in the state is planning to mobilise youths to attack the convoy of Buhari during his campaign in Akure.

He particularly alleged that the plot was to serve as retaliation for the attack on the convoy of the PDP flag bearer, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina last Tuesday.

According to him, "The PDP is organising thugs to stone our convoy on Saturday. They are recruiting thugs that will be throwing stones at General Buhari, just to give the impression that he is not loved by the people of the state.

"But we shall resist it. We have also petitioned the commissioner of police in the state on this. We expect the security agencies to do what they are paid to do."

However in responding, Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, Banji Okunomo, denied the allegation, positing that the party represented civility and decency.

He said, "The PDP is a very decent party. President Goodluck Jonathan represents civility and conducts his affairs in a peaceful manner. We cannot toe the line of the animalistic tendencies of some people as shown in the incident in Katsina.

"Our members will never do such a thing, and there are people who will do it on Saturday, please do not attribute it to PDP members because PDP members will never do that."