A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni said that 14 of his supporters were murdered days before the general election.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain made the revelation on Thursday during his annual Ramadan lecture in Ilesa.
The lawmaker represents Atakumosa East/Atakumosa West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West Federal constituency.
Sanya Ominrin of the Peoples Democratic Party polled 41,437 votes to defeat Ayeni at the 25th February National Assembly poll.
Ayeni said that he lost due to threats and thuggery but called on the people to embrace peace for the progress and unity of Nigeria.
“I cannot blame my supporters for not coming out. What happened before and during the election was terrible”, he said to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“Before the election, 14 of my members were killed in Atakunmosa East. The threat was too much for them from the opposition”, he said.
On the forthcoming inauguration of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 29th May, Ayeni said that a peaceful transition of power wpuld guarantee stability.
He appealed to the people to shun violence before, during and after the transition and support the new APC government.
