The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ondo state has decried the burning of its state party Secretariat in Akure, Ondo state capital, by some hoodlums who invaded the office on pretence of the ongoing protest against police brutality and unprofessional conduct in the state.
Condemning the attack and torching of the building, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Alex Kalejaye, alleged that the attack was sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
He also alleged that the APC chairman in the state, Hon. Ade Adetimehin was attacked by the hoodlums before proceeding to the party secretariat to burn the office.
Kalejaye stated in the statement that “thugs, apparently sponsored by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, today launched an attack on the resident of the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Engr. Ade Adetimehin.
“It took the intervention of a team of policemen from Elerinla Police station, led by the DPO, to salvage the tensed situation and saved the party chieftain and his family.
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“For the inability to wreak sufficient havoc on the Chairman’s house, the thugs, chanting “Power to the People” headed straight to the party State secretariat, and set it ablaze”
He, however, said further that “the Ondo APC is stunned that a legitimate protest by youths could be employed to achieve political vendetta by setting the party’s secretariat on fire. The whole act of wickedness was premeditated; never by accident.
“It is sad to note that the People’s Democratic Party, could go this far to perpetuate what it could not achieve during the just concluded gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
“The APC has it on good authority that the PDP has also perfected plans to target leaders of the APC that are either of Akure origin or based in the capital city for attacks in the next couple of days.
“The fact that the APC always prefer to err on the side of caution should not be mistaken for cowardice. The party has the followers and capability to contain such excesses from any aggressive party.
He, however, called on “security agencies to wade in, and stop this senseless cruelty that is being unleashed by a political group. Members of the public, and indeed, APC leaders deserve protection. This is the only way to avert self-help.
“The APC identifies with sincere and genuine agitation for a better Nigeria, but quick to add that what is happening in Akure is no longer a protest to end SARS, but political aggression, resulting from electoral defeat.”
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