Embrace Politics of Ideas and Shun Violence

As the 2015 general elections draw closer, an aspirant seeking to represent Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji Segelu, has warned politicians to embrace politics of ideas and shun violence or any act capable of endangering the lives of the citizens they are aspiring to lead.

Hon Segelu gave this advice while reacting to the widely reported violent clash between two opposing aspirants of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the constituency which he attributed to political intolerance, adding that such is not expected from politicians who have genuine desire to serve their people.

It was reported that the clash between the two APC House of Representatives aspirants who are currently members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Temitope Olatoye (alias Sugar) and Abiodun Adigun Ahmed (alias Murphy) left no few than 10 persons seriously injured, including popular Ibadan Fuji Musician, Rashidi Ayinde (alias Fuji Merenge) on Wednesday evening.

Segelu, who is the youngest aspirant for the Akinyele/Lagelu Federal constituency seat and a political appointee in the National Assembly, said irrespective of their party affiliations or interest, politicians should learn to tolerate one another and lead by example through exhibition of true concept of decency and respect for the sanctity of human life.

The House of Representatives hopeful reiterated his call on the electorate to vote for only candidates with impeccable character as many aspirants, according to him, are only seeking political power to use it as instrument to shield themselves from public scrutiny.

He noted that political contest should not degenerate into violence if the players were truly pursuing the development of the society and the people.

According to him, “it is only when you are into politics for selfish reasons that you make it a do-or-die affair to the point that you don’t care how many people are being killed or injured just for you to get the position you are looking for. The electorate must therefore use their voting right well to ensure people who are in politics for self-aggrandizement are not given the opportunity anymore.”