Two reported dead in Kwara APC/PDP clash

TWO persons, suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state have been reported killed during a political clash in Ojoku ward, Oyun local government area of the state on Tuesday night.

The state police command, which confirmed the incident in Ilorin on Wednesday, said that it had arrested some suspects allegedly involved in the attack and also restored peace in the area.

In a statement issued by the state police command, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi,  reminded political parties of the peace accord they signed with respect to political campaigns in the state, appealing to the victims of the attack and their sympathisers not to result to self-help but to have confidence in the command to see that justice is done.

However, the leadership of the two political parties allegedly involved in the attack had continued to trade blames, as the state chairman of the APC, Bashir Bolarinwa, and his PDP counterpart, Engineer Kola Shittu, described the attack as unprovoked on their members.

The APC chairman, who said that two members of the party had died from the attack, added that eight persons were badly wounded.

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“Yesterday, Tuesday, February 19, 2019, the APC senatorial candidate for Kwara South, Architect Lola Ashiru, took his electioneering campaign to Ojoku Ward in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara. In line with tradition, he and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Olojoku of Ojoku in his palace. After the courtesy visit to the Kabiyesi, the team came out of the palace to proceed to the venue of the rally. They had barely come out of the palace when they were ambushed by PDP thugs who, apparently, have been lurking around the palace. The attackers, who were armed with different weapons, started shooting at the APC members and supporters who accompanied our candidate to the palace. The policemen who accompanied our candidate’s campaign train tried to repel the attackers, but they were massively overwhelmed. Our candidate, Architect Lola Ashiru, was quickly taken away from the place and he remained in hiding for over two hours before police reinforcement came to rescue him,” he said.

Also speaking, the PDP state chairman, Engineer Kola Shittu, who condemned the development,  said that the attack was said that on its members and supporters by political thugs loyal to the Kwara South senatorial candidate of the APC, Arch Lola Ashiru.

“Ojoku is the hometown of the PDP senatorial candidate for Kwara south, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim.

“The rioting APC thugs who were on the campaign train of Ashiru shot no fewer than eight PDP members during the attack. The victims are currently receiving treatment at the Offa General Hospital and other private hospitals.

Shittu, who asked security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors, described the attack as unfortunate, ill-conceived and barbaric, stressing that the attack has yet again revealed the violent disposition of the APC.

“This latest brazen attack on our members and supporters in Ojoku has yet again further showcased the violent disposition of the APC, which we have always alerted Kwarans and security agencies too. It is also a clear indication that the APC is synonymous to violence and is ready to do anything to achieve its rabid and desperate desire to hijack power.

“We understand that this attack is part of the plot by the APC to throw Kwara into chaos and bloodletting so that INEC can shift election and later conduct a staggered election in the State. It is unfortunate that while the PDP is preparing for the elections, the APC is busy orchestrating plots to unleash violence on our candidates and members in order to achieve its aim of having a staggered election in Kwara.

“We invite the media, local and foreign observers, Nigerians and all lovers of democracy to stand against this dangerous plot of the APC. We insist that no matter the antics and desperation of the APC, the election must hold in Kwara simultaneously with that of other states.

“While we call on our peace-loving members and supporters in Ojoku not to launch any reprisal attack, we would want to place it on record that we will no longer tolerate such acts of violence on our members.

“The PDP also restates its commitment to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections in Kwara where the people shall through the ballot choose their representatives and leaders,” he said.