Senatorial candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADC ) in Kogi East, Dr Victor Alewo Adoji has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of Governor Yahaya Bello of sponsoring violent attacks on him and his supporters.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Dr Adoji alleged called on the international community to promptly redress the overbearing attitudes of the state government towards opposition parties in the state.
He stated that his supporters and campaign team members now live in fear of being attacked.
The seasoned banker posited that elections should be a season of celebration of democracy, not spilling of bloods.
He recounted the series of attacks meted on his supporters across Kogi East and called on civil and political right groups to wade into the ugly situation in Kogi state.
“On the 10th of January 2019, our blimp (campaign material) stationed in Ankpa Local Government Area of the State was shot down by unknown gunmen at about 1 am.
“On the 19th of January, 2019, my supporters were attacked while on transit to Dekina town (Dekina Local Government Area) for the Party Zonal Rally by thugs engaged by the ruling All Progressive Congress Party in the State. They were brutally injured and the buses conveying them were destroyed. The home of one of our supporters in Anyigba was invaded, and properties destroyed.
“Barely Forty eight hours later, a group of well armed thugs (suspected to be on assignment for the state government) invaded the venue where I was supposed to hold a town-hall meeting with my supporters in Ejule town (Ofu LGA of the state). This happened on the the 21st of January, 2019. Properties including chairs, canopies and my posters were vandalized. A lot of supporters were also injured.
“Later the same day, heavily armed gun men invaded the home of my supporter. His car and other properties were destroyed.
“On the 28th of January, 2019, thugs allegedly sponsored by the APC invaded and destroyed our campaign zonal office in my country home. Several properties including that of our party (ADC) and my campaign posters were destroyed.
“Our supporters are also being subjected to perpetual threats and harassment by stakeholders of the ruling party. As a matter of fact, An APC House of Representative Aspirant threatened to deal with the Ofu Assistant Women Leader if she campaigns for me and my party (ADC) in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
“This prevailing anti democratic acts have in the last few days negatively impacted our campaign activities and is creating underpinnings that are not healthy for our political development on the short and long runs.
“My supporters and campaign team members now live in fear of being attacked. In fact, they don’t feel safe in their houses anymore due to the rampaging thuggery activities allegedly sponsored by the state government in power. Even our posters and billboards in strategic locations across the constituency were either removed or destroyed.
“My supporters and I believe in the rule of law and we are resolute about carrying it to the latter,” he said.
Adoji called on the international communities to step in and save him and his supporterss from APC government of Kogi state.
