The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District Smart Adeyemi has raised alarm over threats to his life and that of his family over his resolve to stand for elections at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Kogi State.
In a statement he personally signed Adeyemi alleged that there has been immense pressures on him to step down by those he termed as the “powers that be”.
According to him “facts that certain sections of the country are of the strong opinion that I am eminently qualified if antecedents are anything to go by. Facts emerging further show that it is mostly on this premise that the powers that be thought it wise to ask me to step down with the belief that it will be a perfect way to ease me out through orchestrated agitations of rotation within my Senatorial District.
“Rotation is absolutely a good political concept, but it must cut across all spheres and definitely must not go against the will of the people. After due deliberations and consultations with very senior citizen and my constituents who believe in me, I have been urged and geared to go ahead and contest in continued service to my people” he added.
Adeyemi noted that “I am therefore resolute to go ahead, irrespective of the consequences, as a free citizen of Nigeria. I hereby call on all well meaning Nigerian, the masses whom I have always spoken for, as well as the international community to evaluate my antecedents, my representations, both now and in time past. One reoccurring factor is that I have always stood firmly for what I believe in.
“The allegations I am making is that certain individuals have been pencilled down as anointed candidates in the upcoming elections. And I have absolutely no problems with. However, this must not be to the exclusion of any other candidate who is desirous of exercising his fundamental human rights. Asking that I step down not on the account of non-performance? The records are there for ease of verification. I have a single sitting at the Senate and while in attendance, I have been most active in my primary responsibility. I have sponsored more bills than most even in three terms accumulatively just in two years I have been back in service to my people”he added.
Adeyemi stated that “I have refrained from traveling to Europe or America in the last seven years as part of personal commitment to nation building. It is alarming therefore, that these factors are now being termed offences by the powers that be. It is free and fair election. Every Nigerian has a right to run, and the voice of the people must prevail. I therefore see no reason why anybody’s life should be at stake for this reason.
“The extent to the threat to my life is yet to be defined. But they are quite potent and palpable based on “their” utterances and I quote “if he dares to contes….” “I repeat, if he dares to contest…” this has left me with no other option than to make a formal and urgent report to the relevant security agencies and top security officials within and outside the country. Any threat to life should not be taken lightly. Consequently, on this premise Nigerians and the international communities, are by this statement duly informed that the lives of my immediate family and I are under severe threat and should any harm or eventuality comes to any of us, we know who are responsible for it and this has been duly registered in the appropriate quarters” he declared.
Senator Adeyemi said that “as a Christian, I have no reason to blackmail anyone. I am speaking the truth and nothing but the truth. It is my firm belief that every Nigerian has a right to run and the voice of the people will prevail. No life should therefore be threatened in the line of duty.
