The level at which the All Progressive Congress (APC) is going about the 2019 elections across the country and in Kogi State is uncalled for, says Chief Sunday Umoru.
The gubernatorial aspirant and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also lamented that the APC has resulted to violence by attacking family members of opposition party chieftains and carrying out attacks on PDP members at their political gathering in Ogugu, Olamaboro local government area of Kogi state.
“It is disheartening that the youths most especially have been brainwashed by Gov. Yahaya Bello and his stooges, taking advantage of the current economic situation of the country to perpetrate crimes of various kinds against political opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he said.
Chief Umoru, through a press statement, told Kogireports that: “on January 14, 2019 and at about 10.20pm at ATE OKEGBI Ogugu in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, three men emerged from a vehicle parked closed to his family house to kidnap his mother who was fortunately not at home when they arrived to carry out the crime.
“However, out of anger the son of an Igbo tenant who lived in one of the apartments of the house was kidnapped and whisked away in their getaway vehicle and subsequently demanded ransom from the victim’s father, but was freed, two days later when they discovered that the victim was not related to Chief Umoru.
“According to the account of the kidnapped person, the bandits are thugs working for the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ogugu, and their sole mission is to ensure APC win elections in Kogi East through violence.
“Prior to this incident, thugs of the All Progressive Congress APC in Ogugu damaged Chief Umoru’s bill boards and got them burnt down, and on the same January 14, 2019 thugs of the All Progressive Congress APC attacked members of the Peoples Democratic Party who gathered at Rtd. Capt. Joe Agada’s residence for a meeting. Mr. Linus Eneche, and Mr. Tony John who is the Peoples Democratic Party Vice Chairman of Ogugu ward 3 were also attacked, lynched and narrowly escaped death respectively.
“Violence in Kogi state is now at an alarming rate and requires urgent attention of the Nigerian Police Force,” he said.
Chief Umoru further stated that Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration has further plunged the state into deep valley of insecurity.
“It’s so sad that since APC party came into power in the state; hooliganism has been the order of the day, community and political thuggery, kidnapping, armed robbery, Fulani herdsmen killings among other crimes have significantly increased and Bello’s administration has failed in dealing with these crimes decisively.
“The only political ideology Gov. Bello and his stooges believe in to win election in Kogi State is violence!”
Chief Umoru admonished Kogi APC to grow up and put a stop to political violence in the state.
The governorship aspirant warned that he will not hesitate to hold APC responsible if anything happens to him or any member of his family.
He called on the Chief of Staff to Kogi state Governor, Edward Onoja, who is also from Ogugu, to call his supporters to order.
Umoru noted that Ogugu is a peaceful community and the need for all to maintain peace is very paramount.
