…Alleges harrasment of members
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all the security agencies to pay attention to political harassment going on against some members of the party, especially it senatorial candidate, Barr. Natasha Akpoti.
Kogi state in the recent time has witnessed various allegations of political harassment across political parties.
The state chapter of SDP, led by its acting chairman Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, at a press conference Thursday, called on the police’s Inspector General not only to call the Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello to irder but to transfer all cases of harrasment against its party members to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The party also demanded prosecution of all those involved in the killing of one Ojo Enesi, its member and otgers responsible for attacks launched on it senatorial candidate, Akpoti.
Atimah said Kogi chapter of APC and the state government frustrated the peace pact organized by the Kogi state Commissioner of Police to broker Peace in the state
“We call on INEC and relevant security agencies to monitor Kogi Central election as its recent political harassment and attack are a red flag. We must prevent a reoccurrence of Kogi APC undemocratic practices during election.
“We also call on the International Organizations and Civil Society Groups to consider Kogi State by monitoring the February 16th election. Under section 40 of 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended, every citizen enjoys freedom of association, assembly, speech and of course campaign.
“APC Kogi boycotted signing of the Peace agreement 24th of December. It was rescheduled for 27th of November, 2018 yet the APC refused to show up for the second time, however, both SDP and PDP present were advised to go about their campaigns in a peaceful manners.”
SDP stated that on Saturday, 12th of January 2019 SDP Youth Leader in Obeiba Ihima, Okehi LGA, Ojo Enesi, was murdered by a gang of Kogi APC thugs allegedly led by Ojo Inna, among others
“On Wednesday 23rd January, 2019, SDP youth mobilizer, Friday Ovoro was abducted in his residence in Ohueta, Okehi Local Government, whose whereabout is still unknown though information reaching us has it that he is being detained
“On Friday 11th January, 2019, eight supporters of SDP canvassing for Natasha Akpoti were stabbed, butchered and beaten by known Kogi APC thugs who accused our team of crossing ‘a road’ referring to the house belonging to the Kogi State Commissioner of water resources, Barr. Salami Ozigi.
“On 3rd January, 2019, an SDP supporter, Fatayi Yakubu was stabbed when he installed the SDP Kogi Central Senatorial Candidate’s campaign banner in front of his house at Eyika Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA.
“On 15th January, 2019, masked Kogi APC thugs stormed the house of SDP Kuroko ward 2 Chairman, Abdulmalik Wokili with the intention to kill him but unfortunately for them, he was not around, they however set his Motorcycle and other valuables ablaze,” he stated.
The acting chairman said governor Bello had threatened its senatorial candidate, Akpoti, that he (governor) would “spill his last blood to ensure victory for APC and save his face before president Buhari in the 2019.
“The recent anti-democratic and inhuman activities prove he has commenced his threats. The fact that he has failed to address the repeated violence shows he consents to the activities of his Sole Administrators in Okehi and Adavi LG.
“It is on record that we tendered a petition on the 3rd December 2018 to the IG’s office drawing attention to the violent attacks, perceived intimidation and destruction of properties against our party’s candidate by the APC thugs sponsored by the party executives and members of Kogi state Government.”
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