The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to institute an independent panel to investigate the circumstances leading to the killing of a woman in Koton Karfe, Kogi State on Friday.
At a press conference addressed by Alhassan Enape, Faruk Adejoh-Audu and Brigadier General Benjamin Ipinyomi in Lokoja, the state capital, o Tuesday, the Murtala Ajaka’s campaign organisation said the state police commissioner, CP Onuoha Bethrand, was economical with the truth in his statement on political violence in Koton Karfe.
Enape said said the state Commissioner of police had, through a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja, given himself out as a sympathiser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He said the party welcomed the decision by the state police command to investigate the mayhem but said the party does not have confidence and trust in the state police command to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice in the matter.
He called on the Commissioner of police to drop his partisanship for APC and focus more on his assignment of protecting live and property , irrespective of religion, tribalism and political leaning.
“Our governorship candidate, Muritala Ajaka respects the law of the land in his bid to become the governor of the state. He did not go around with thugs as alleged by the state police commissioner of police, CP Onuoha Benthrand.
“The security around him were provided by the Inspector General of police, when he requested for it, as it was become obvious that his life is under threat .
“When the present administration prevented him from coming to campaign in the state, he went to court and got injunction to be giving security cover and be allowed to go about his campaign peacefully.
“The court granted his request, restraining the police and other security agencies, including other parties involved to stay off action, pending the determination of the case,” Enape said.
Enape said the SDP is well ready to contest the governorship election slated for November, saying that no amount of intimidation, oppression and repression from any quarter will prevent the party from winning the election.
He described the allegations of thuggery and refusal to respond to the call of the Kogi state police command as false and attempt to drag the image of its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, in the mud.
