Kogi West Zonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Taiwo Kola-Ojo has expressed a great concern on the high scale and recurring deployment of violence against rival political parties by the agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
In a press statement, Kola-Ojo decried the violent attack against PDP members at Odokoro Gbede during a campaign tour of Ijumu Local Government Area on Tuesday.
He stated that political violence has become a state policy in Kogi state.
Barr. Kola-Ojo reported that on the entry of the campaign train into Odokoro, the community of origin of the administrator of the Local Government, Alh.Taofik Isah, road barricades were mounted to prevent entry, while stones were hauled at party faithful as they arrived the barricades.
According to the report, two vehicles belonging to Party members were destroyed , one of which belonged to Hon Abiodun Ojo, a former commissioner in the state, and currently Zonal Campaign Director of the party.
Going by the account, chairs and venue materials, positioned for the reception of the campaign train were destroyed, just as campaign posters belonging to PDP candidates were removed.
The party chieftain wondered how state officials who are considered as the chief security officers of their domains have now transmuted into chief co-ordinators of violence, and have become terrors and tormentors instead of protectors and defenders.
The Party called on Nigerians to take note of the happenings in Kogi State, where candidates of SDP, ADC and PDP have at various times and in various locations been attacked by agents of the APC.
While commending the Police Area Commander, Kabba and the Divisional Police Officer, Ayetoro Gbede, for stepping in quickly to rescue its members, the Party appealed to the Police to bring to book the persons that have been identified in the attack against its members.
The Party enjoined the Police and other security agents to always bear in mind that their obligations are towards all Nigerians and not to the ruling party or particular government officials.
The release commended party members for maintaining restraint in the face of provocation, and for defying the ugly devices of antidemocratic forces, as they still turned out en mass to ensure a great campaign, the distractions notwithstanding.
