The Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial campaign council has debunked claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde was attacked by suspected thugs at a hotel in the state’s capital, Lokoja.
In a statement on Friday by the Spokesman of the campaign council, Dr Tom Ohikere said news of the attack was part of the orchestrated propaganda of the PDP.
“After due scrutiny of pictures and videos emanating from the supposed attack and finding it lacking in evidence to that effect, we have come to the conclusion that it is nothing but a continuing wave of PDP propaganda and misinformation tactics.
“In one report, they say it is the army, in another report they say a combined team of DSS and police personnel. Similarly, was any arrest made in that regard, also how can a long convoy of uniform men make their way to an hotel without the authorization or the intervention of the police high command.
“These are pertinent questions that are yearning for answers, and since these answers are not forthcoming, we consider them to be unavailable. This is nothing but another charade of the PDP intended to elicit sympathy from the unsuspecting masses of Kogi state.
“But as we know it is nothing but an effort in futility as Kogites have heard such misguided alarms in the past and are by now accustomed to the desperate pattern of the PDP. So, until the police high command comes forward with substantial evidence to corroborate their claim.
“We will call it for what it is, an arrangement for deception of a party fast going into political obscurity” Ohikere said.
But the PDP in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Kola Olongbondiyan accused the APC of sending thugs after Makinde, its governorship candidate, Engr. Musa Wada and other leaders of the party.
The statement reads,
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) berates the All Progressives Congress (APC) for sending armed thugs to invade the venue of the meeting of its leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the PDP candidate, Engr. Musa Wada, in Lokoja on Friday.
“The party says that several hooded APC thugs, armed with automatic rifles and other dangerous weapons, invaded the venue of the meeting which had Governor Makinde, Engr. Wada, his running mate, Hon. Samuel Aro, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, as well as other party chieftains in attendance.
“It took the resistance of the security personnel attached to Governor Makinde to save the situation, which would have turned calamitous, as the people of Kogi who were around the venue were already poised for a stiff confrontation.
“The PDP says the APC ought to have known by now that their reliance on thugs and violence cannot thrive, as the people are ready to defend their state in this election.
“The party therefore urges in the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu to caution the APC as well as put every measure in place to check the activities of APC’s thugs so as to ensure a hitch free, transparent and credible election on Saturday.
“The PDP calls on the people of Kogi state to remain alert and resolute in their determination to assert their will despite the machinations designed to undermine their spirit at the election.
“It also states that Nigerians should hold the APC and Governor Yahaya Bello responsible should any harm whatsoever befall any PDP member during the period of the election.”
