Politicians Are Liable for Electoral Violence – Fashola

Fashola who  said this when a delegation of the Council of the Wise, led by its Coordinator, Professor Ibrahim Gambari paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos noted that there is no way such politicians will claim ignorance and yet refuse to disown the group.

According to him, efforts must be made to institute a means of holding politicians accountable for not only their actions but that of their supporters as well.

“The only way to hold politicians accountable is not only for what is done by them but that also done on their behalf.

Fashola noted that hate speeches by politicians would undermine the country’s electoral process and democracy , urging candidates of political parties at all levels to always disassociate themselves from hate speeches and actions capable of disrupting the peace.

“When thugs begin to terrorize people on the street, the candidate should be able to disown actions of such persons.

“We are helping to promote violence by allowing hate speeches by politicians.”

He said those seeking for political offices must regard their quest as a call to serve the people not their vested interest.

Earlier, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has said he was on a mission to sensitize relevant stakeholders on the need to have a hitch free polls and move the country forward. He decried the practice by some politicians of making irresponsible speeches that could undermine the unity of the country , saying there is pressing need to  promote peaceful elections in the country.