The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused an unnamed assailant of attacking its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, ahead of the November 11 election in Kogi.
In a Sunday statement, Ajaka’s aide, Isaiah Davies Ijele, leveled accusations against the state governor, Yahaya Bello, claiming an attempted assassination on his principal.
He asserted that the governor allegedly employed thugs to eliminate the SDP candidate just a month before the state’s gubernatorial election.
“Thugs loyal to the Executive Governor of Kogi State today attempted to assassinate my principal and candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka in Koton Karfi,” he claimed in the statement.
The campaign trail of Ajaka was attacked when thugs and hired assassins shot sporadically on his convoy in a calculated attempt to end his life, maim and kill his supporters. It took the combined efforts of the security apparatus to repel the heinous, coordinated, and unprovoked attack.”
He expressed sorrow over the fact that some SDP supporters suffered severe injuries, along with damage to the party’s campaign materials, which left supporters fearful.
Ijele called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intervene and rein in the governor, emphasizing that no individual should be above the laws of the land.
Responding promptly, the Kogi State Police Command acknowledged receiving a report regarding the alleged attack on the SDP campaign in the Koton-Karfe area of the state.
The state’s police spokesperson, William Ovye Aya, stated that it was believed that some individuals may have been injured during the incident.
He extended sympathy to all victims of political violence in the state and strongly condemned the incident.
The police spokesperson clarified that Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has initiated an inquiry into the incident.
“The CP further directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to commence a thorough, diligent, and wholistic investigation of all acts of political violence, accusations, and counter-accusations on all the political parties and actors with a view to bringing all offenders to book,” he said in a statement.
“The CP assures of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of all lives and property in the State.”