Date: 2019-02-09

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday urged the International Criminal Court to focus on the state.

He said the step was necessary because of ongoing plans to unleash violence on the opposition before the election.

AbdulRazaq made the call in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin, the state capital.

He commended the ICC for its latest message warning against violence in the coming polls.

He said, "We welcome the latest appeal and warnings by the International Criminal Court on Nigerian elections. "We believe elections should not be a do-or-die affair but should be about selling one’s ideas to the electorate in an atmosphere devoid of violence or threat of same or intimidation.

"We have reasons to call on the ICC to especially turn its radar on Kwara State where the discredited political dynasty has consistently used violence to suppress opposition.

"The recent rise in political violence, including attacks on my person and supporters, as well as unabated destruction of our billboards, is instructive.

"We therefore invite the ICC to monitor the processes leading to the elections in Kwara State. My supporters and I hereby formally pledge peaceful campaign and conduct before, during and after the elections.

"We urge the people of Kwara to shun violence in all forms and discourage our youths from violence or anything that could disturb public peace."