Kogi 2019: One dead, as thugs attack PDP guber candidate

From Ahmad Ibrahim, Lokoja

The Campaign Council of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has decried the incessant attacks on its members, particularly in Anyigba and other parts of Dekina local government, saying the on- going madness must stop.
In statement issued by the Deputy Director, Public Communication, Austin Okai, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja, the PDP said the spate of attacks are unbecoming and posed a serious threat to the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
According to Okai, political thugs attacked the convoy of PDP governorship candidate, on Saturday, when he visited Anyigba for a stakeholder meeting.
He disclosed that a young man, Yusuf Seidu Uhiene, was killed by thugs he alleged to be working for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He further pointed out that two PDP supporters, Nasiru Sule and Ilemona also sustained serious injuries during the attack.
“Our candidate, Engr Musa Wada was in Anyigba today to attend the Kogi East PDP stakeholders meeting. Between the main road and Harbour Bay, the venue of the meeting, APC thugs unleashed mayhem on our supporters killing one and injuring two others,” he said.
Okai confirmed that PDP chairman for Anyigba ward, Alhaji Amidu has made formal complaint to the police over the attack.
He appealed to police authority in the state to checkmate the deadly activities of the hired armed men of the APC, so as to ensure peace before, during and after the governorship election.
He said the dreadful activities of the APC thugs in Anyigba and other parts of the local government like Abocho and Ajiolo would undermine the exercise if not checked now.
The PDP spokesman said the new system of laying ambush before attacking is a new trend devised by APC thugs to discourage the PDP from prosecuting its campaign due to commence soon.
He noted with dismay the killing of a promising young boy who was going about his own personal activities innocently before he was brutally killed.
He therefore enjoined the law enforcement agencies in the state to protect the interest of opposition parties and their teeming supporters ahead of the governorship poll.
The council commiserated with the family of the deceased, Seidu Yusuf Uhiene, praying for the repose of his soul while urging the security agencies not to relent until the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book.