The candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, in the forthcoming Osun State governorship poll, Olufemi Adesuyi, has cautioned politicians in the state against shielding criminals behind the recent rise in the cases of extrajudicial killings.

Adesuyi, who condemned the killings, said politicians should not, due to their ambition continue to shed the blood of the residents.

The ZLP candidate, who made this known in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, expressed concerns over the political violence and called on the perpetrators to desist from acts that can plunge the state into bigger crises.

“The trend of these killings, if left unchecked, will threaten the peace and democratic values in this state. That will definitely affect the credibility of the forthcoming August 15 gubernatorial election. Politics should be a contest of ideas and service, not a do-or-die affair that puts lives at risk.

“We must not allow desperation to turn our democracy into a bloodbath. The rate at which political violence is spreading in Osun is worrisome. No position, no matter how highly placed, is worth wasting human blood for.

“Politicians must understand that power is transient. You cannot achieve your ambition by shedding the blood of innocent people. Let us campaign with decorum, respect our opponents, and allow the people to decide freely,” Adesuyi said.

He appealed to politicians in the state to conduct themselves peacefully and put the interest of Osun first, irrespective of their political parties.

“Election is not war! Let us conduct ourselves peacefully, responsibly, and with respect for one another before, during, and after the election. Political differences should never make us enemies. We are one people with a common destiny, and our shared desire should be for a peaceful, credible, and successful election,” the ZPL candidate added.

He called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the state to be proactive in preventing further breakdown of law and order.

He also urged the security operatives to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of violence, irrespective of their political affiliations

The governorship candidate also charged eligible voters in the state, not to be discouraged, but to come out en masse and participate in the election.

Calling for voters’ support towards his governorship ambition, Adesuyi said, “I humbly seek your support and your vote to elect me as the next Governor of Osun State. Together, let us vote for good governance, integrity, accountability, economic prosperity and sustainable development.”

There has been an increase in the spate of violent crimes in the state in recent times, which attracted the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu who recently visited the state.

The PUNCH reports that during the visit, Disu accused political parties of shielding hoodlums and told the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan to go after perpetrators of violent crime in the state.