A group, under the aegis of Ondo State Youth for Good Governance, has called on governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Ondo State Police Command to stop Intimidating Mr. Asiwaju Adekanmbi, who served under the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State as Commissioner for Special duties, Culture and Tourism.

In a statement by Adojutelegan Adesuyi, the group Coordinator, on Friday, accused the State Government of using the Police to intimidate and harass Adekanmbi for political reasons.

“Governor of Ondo State through his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice ordered the arrest of Asiwaju Femi Adekanmbi in December 2017 based on a trump up allegation of public disturbance that happened during the election of 2016 in which the party accused him as principal actor of the incident.

“When the police invited him to Akure, it became a different case entirely. They brought out a petition submitted some years ago as the reason for his invitation. We all felt terribly bad about the harassment. He however thanked God for the good people of Owo in particular and Ondo State in general who stood by him and condemned the intimidation and harassment. He later returned home based on various interventions.

The group said the state government has renewed the harassment ever since they know Adekanmbi is nursing to contest against Akeredolu ahead of 2020 gubernatorial election in the state.

“For political reasons, the government of Ondo State continued with this harassment in 2018 by writing a Petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to single out Hon. Femi Adekanmbi out of 22 former Commissioners that served under Gov. Mimiko for probe over award of contract of N17M borehole project.

“Adekanmbi aspiration to become the governor of Ondo State in 2020 is the reason for his political persecution being from the same Local government with the governor – a factor governor Akeredolu considered could be a major set back for his reelection in 2020.

“It is on this note we call on the state government to stop this political persecution against Adekanmbi” the group said.