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By Ahmed ‘Lateef
The Mandate Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State yesterday alleged that the violent attacks on its members and supporters by suspected political thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a ploy to postpone the forthcoming elections in the state.
The council said a faction of the APC in the state had hatched a plot to create an impression that the state was not conducive for elections.
Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, the Director General of the campaign council, Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, said the mayhem perpetrated by the opposition was a sign of defeat.
He, however, warned that the PDP would not tolerate any conduct that could truncate peace in the state.
Suleiman urged law enforcement agencies to rescue the state from those he called invaders who were on a mission to turn the state to a theatre of war.
The Director General said the PDP remained resolute and would not engage in any act of brigandage and violence.
Suleiman said, “No doubt, this act of violence by the defunct characters in APC was carried out as a way of intimidating our party. And to us therefore as a party, it was nothing but a sign of defeat. We as a party will not condone any act that could militate against the peaceful existence of our people.
“Again, we will not fold our arms, watch some characters in their self seeking ambition to constitute real threat to our members and our good people of Kwara State. That this incident happened in the Senate President’s country home and environs speaks volumes.
“When the first incident happened on Thursday, we complained to the law enforcement agency, addressed press and issued warning to our members to remain calm. Our party is a peaceful party. Our party is a party on ground in Kwara State. Our party is not scared of any party at all.
“Our party is set for election in February 2019. Therefore, we have no cause at all to engage in any act of violence.
“We as a political party, PDP, remain resolute and will not engage in any act of brigandage and violence. And again, we want to appeal to APC led government, especially the law enforcement agents, police in particular to be on top of this job. A situation where policemen are escorting the hoodlums to raid houses, wreak havoc on people is uncivil.
“This is not the country of our own dream. This is not democracy we all fought for. It is unfortunate that today the people that were not part of struggle to enthrone democracy are the beneficiaries of democracy. That is why they wouldn’t know the value of democracy.
“We appeal to the IGP and other law enforcement agencies to assist Kwara people from these invaders, who want to turn Kwara to another theatre of war. There is no doubt that the act was premeditated. Causing violence before an election is to create an impression that Kwara is not conducive for any election.
“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful, to follow the footsteps of his predecessor by ensuring that his own ambition should not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Violence should not be tolerated. What is happening in the last five days in Ilorin is an unusual scenario”.
