The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has decried the attacks on its supporters by alleged APC thugs in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state. The party’s media director, Isaiah Ijele, issued a statement on Thursday morning calling for urgent security intervention.
According to Ijele, the attacks took place twice in the last 48 hours at Ajiolo Ojaji in Dekina Local Government and Ugwolawo in Ofu Local Government. He said the attackers came with firearms and other weapons and injured many SDP supporters and damaged their campaign materials.
Ijele said the attacks were orchestrated by Governor Yahaya Bello and his party to intimidate and suppress the opposition ahead of the November 11 governorship election. He said the SDP was a peaceful party that believes in issue-based campaigns and democratic principles.
He urged the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the attacks and bring the culprits to justice. He also appealed to the public not to be provoked or deterred by the violence of the APC.
He said: “We are appalled and outraged by the barbaric attacks on our supporters by some APC thugs who stormed our campaign rallies at Ajiolo Ojaji and Ugwolawo yesterday. They came with guns, machetes, and other dangerous weapons and attacked our innocent members who were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights. They injured many of them and destroyed our vehicles, banners, and other campaign materials.
“This is unacceptable and we demand a thorough investigation and prosecution of those behind this wicked act. We also call on Governor Yahaya Bello to stop using violence as a means of achieving his political ambition. He should know that the people of Kogi East are fed up with his misrule and maladministration and they are ready to vote him out on November 11.
“We appeal to our supporters and the general public not to be provoked or deterred by this attack. We urge them to remain steadfast and committed to our vision of a new Kogi State that will be prosperous, secure, and inclusive for all.”
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