The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Sunday, September 18, frowned at the visit by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, to traffic law breakers.
The state government on Thursday auctioned 134 vehicles impounded for several traffic offences on the ground that their owners ran away and failed to turn up for “court process’’.
The exercise generated a lot of reactions, especially on the social media after viral videos showed wailing vehicle owners who considered the auction as a harsh move.
Read Also: Soludo Reveals How Anambra Govt Tackled ‘Unknown Gunmen’ Menace
Jandor and his running mate, Ms Funke Akindele, subsequently visited owners of two of the vehicles in their homes to placate them.
The candidate’s media aide, Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, stated on Saturday that Jandor and his running mate visited the homes of Mr Lateef Kolapo and Mr Osinachi Ndukwe, both drivers whose vehicles were auctioned.
He stated that Adediran discovered during the visit that Ndukwe, who drove against traffic, was arrested and imprisoned for three months after his car was impounded.
Adediran said during Ndukwe’s jail term, he lost his three-year-old daughter owing to lack of funds to cater to her health.
The PDP candidate also said after the visit that Kolapo claimed that his vehicle was driven by his mechanic while he was ill and hospitalised.
The media aide also stated that Adediran, who frowned at violation of traffic, sympathised with the victims over their losses.
He assured them that if voted into office in 2023, such harsh punishment for violation of traffic rules would be reviewed.
APC’s Reaction
Reacting to the visit, APC’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Seye Oladejo, described Jandor as being desperate and promoting lawlessness and playing politics with human lives.
According to him, good governance only thrives where law and order prevails.
Our attention has been drawn to the recent characteristic charade of the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jide Adediran.
It’s saddening that the candidate and his deputy, Funke Akindele, have graduated from playing politics with human lives to blatantly encouraging the breakdown of law and order in our dear state.
The visit to citizens who paid the price for violating state traffic laws, compensating, inducing and encouraging them is an act that is totally unacceptable in any decent society.
The move amounts to turning compassion and charity on its head.
