Deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 16 Kogi election, Engineer Khalid Adam has called on politicians, Kogites as well as relevant stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming elections in the state imbibes genuine democratic norms.
Expressing utmost dismay on the series of attacks on his party’s secretariat in Lokoja by hooligans purportedly sponsored by the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC), Khalid lamented that a process which democratic nations around the world leverage to celebrate democracy has been constricted via insatiable quests not necessarily defining collective interests but greedy and ridiculous interest of few.
“Election in a democratic society is always the celebration of democracy- whereby, people are allowed to choose their leader without fear or favor. But ours is characterized by perpetual violence and intimidation. Those (the public) saddled with the attorneys of deciding the popularity of a political aspirant are either induced or intimidated against their wish. And every now and then, the landscape is politically commercialized instead of competition of ideas,” he said.
Engr Khalid further described the burning down of SDP secretariat as a stock of tirade of the merchants of doom whose befitting abode is hell fire instead of human space.
He called on the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators get their days behind bar.
Recall that the SDP secretariat in Lokoja was razed down at the early hours of Monday by thugs believed to be working for the ruling party, APC. Similar attack that led to the vandalization of windows, party flags as well as the posters of its governorship candidate, Barr Natasha Akpoti were earlier reported on Sunday, authenticating claims by the state chairman of the party, Mr Mouktar Atima that the party’s candidate for the gubernatorial election has been subjected to series of threats.
Meanwhile, Engr Khalid Adam noted that Kogi state has long history of violence-free elections.
“The necessity of upholding the virtues of our great heroes whose invaluable efforts remain indelible is sacrosanct to the fact.”
He called on the youths to shun any form of violence before, during and after the election.
“It is so unfortunate that our enterprising youths are now being instigated against peace in Kogi state. But by the Grace of God, our ascendant to Lugard House will change the narrative. We are optimistic as the most credible party in the state that we will win the election,” Khalid said.
He urged Kogites to come out en- masse and vote out any form of incompetency, and to restore the peace and dignity of Kogi state.
