Armed political thugs on Wednesday disrupted the governorship campaign rally of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ejule, Ofu local government area of Kogi state.
The rally was yet to commence in the early hours of the day when hoodlums suspected to be political thugs invaded the St. Matthews Primary School venue and started shooting sporadically.
Supporters who were still arranging chairs and canopies for the rally scampered for safety as the hoodlums descended on vehicles parked nearby, destroying everything on their path.
In a swift reaction, Director, Media and Communications of Muri/Sam Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring the attacks.
“The gunmen led, by one Mohammed Nasir Alfa said to be the Assistant State Chairman of the APC (Kogi East District) descended on the rally venue at Ejule and started shooting sporadically to disperse a mammoth crowd of SDP supporters that had gathered for the event.
“Witnesses identified Dele Ademu; Daddy Ndah; Danladi Alaba from Umomi Village, Muhammed Nasiru Alfa (APC Zonal Chairman) Yahaya Ademu aka Kia Man; Mustepha Idris aka Ore; Besiru Mudi aka Para (all from Ejule Town) and other dreaded APC thugs among over 30 fully armed bandits unleashed by the APC Vice Chairman known to coordinate thugs in Ofu LGA for the governor of the state.
“The Muri/Sam Campaign Council is aware of a standing threat by Mr Yahaya Bello to his aides, appointees and senior APC officials that they will face his wrath if an SDP event is allowed to hold in their home of origin.
“This brazen and desperate descent to violence by a sitting governor using his aides and thugs have gone unredressed so far despite our repeated outcries.
“The election date is barely three weeks away and the desperation of Mr Bello who is parading his cousin , a thoroughly tainted candidate as his successor is escalating,” he alleged.
The campaign council called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to urgently intervene and address the drift in Kogi State before it fatally undermines democracy in the state.
However, the spokesperson for APC Campaign Council, Hon Kingsley Fanwo said the allegations were untrue as the party had no hand in the attacks.
“We are not ready to join issues with SDP because doing so is glorifying them more so that we won’t be dragged into their frivolities, gasping lies and lack of direction.
“As a government, our concern and responsibility is to create an enabling environment for all to pursue their normal businesses.
“We are a government and our priority is to protect all the people of Kogi irrespective of political leanings,’’ he said.
