The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state has drew the attention of security agencies and the general public to the alleged violent tendencies of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The PDP in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Tunde Ashaolu catalogued the alleged public disturbances involving the supporters of APC in various locations within Ilorin, the state capital.
The statement reads in part: “On Saturday, 15 September, we got a report that some rampaging thugs loyal to two different camps in the APC engaged in a fight at one of their campaign offices along Sango road, Ilorin, which resulted in injuries to scores of people including party members and other innocent people.
“It was gathered that there were blood stains at the scene of the attack and the injured people were quickly rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) for treatment.
“This is coming barely two days after some political thugs belonging to an APC governorship aspirant unleashed mayhem on some residents and shop owners along major streets of Ilorin including Ibrahim Taiwo road, Sawmill area, Abdulazeez Attah road, Agaka area and Oja-Oba.
“Shop owners, residents and passers- by had to scamper for safety, as the thugs in their large numbers brandished dangerous weapons, which scared people away.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that the outrageous cost of nomination forms of the APC is partly responsible for the desperation and show of shame within the fold of the party. An individual who paid over N22million to obtain a nomination form is bound to do everything possible no matter how untoward it is to get the party’s ticket.
“Nonetheless, as a party, we condemn these rampant attacks on innocent citizens by APC thugs and called on security agencies to look into the matter and arrest the perpetrators, as part of efforts to forestall recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.
“Furthermore, we wish to note that this latest attack shows that APC is a party that breeds hoodlums, and further demonstrates its large-scale violence planned for 2019 general election in the State.
On Saturday, around the same time in Kwara North, to the excitement and in full glare of the youths, women elders, and traditional institutions, the campaign teams of two governorship aspirants of the PDP, Hon. Mohammed Zakari and Hon. Aliyu Ahman Pategi bumped into each other along Pategi road. The two aspirants stopped and engaged in a brief chat and wished each other well on the race ahead.
“We, therefore, urge aspirants in the APC and other political parties in the State to emulate this spirit of sportsmanship as demonstrated by the two gubernatorial aspirants in the PDP.
“We are confident that Kwarans will reject seasonal politicians who only come to town on the eve of elections to cause unrest and disappear immediately after the elections. This is a clear indication that they do not have the interest of the people at heart, and their only aim is to grab power at all cost.
“As a party, we understand that all politics is local and we are assured that the good people of Kwara State will continue to support and stand by the leadership of Dr Bukola Saraki, who has always identified with them.”
