Kogi State Government has debunked allegation of attack on some persons that appeared as witnesses for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting Abuja.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications told newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday that the claim of attack on some witnesses by the national leadership of SDP was spurious , false and absurd
Fanwo , insisted that if any attack did happen as claimed by the SDP, ” it must have been stage-managed by the SDP to justify their failure to produce the number of witnesses they claimed to have in line with their modus operandi as witnessed during the campaign. ”
The Commissioner said it is the responsibility of the government to protect all the people and residents of the State irrespective of differences in religion, tribe and political beliefs.
He said Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo is too focused on governance to be engaged in frivolity with the SDP and its leadership.
According to Fanwo, Kogi State Government is unwavering in its stance on security and constitutionalism as the basic minimum in ensuring a peaceful and secured state.
The Full text of the statement read by Fanwo at the press conference reads thus : “Our attention has been drawn to a headless allegation by the Social Democratic Party to the effect that the State Government allegedly attacked their SDP witnesses in the ongoing tribunal case where the SDP is challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress in the November 2023 Governorship Poll.
“The allegation drifted into the abyss further by claiming that supporters of the thoroughly defeated candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the election, one Muritala Ajaka were attacked.
“We wouldn’t have bothered to respond to the barking of the SDP and its leadership as the State Government is busy with governance; but it is important to set the record straight and address the minds of the public to the tradition of lies by the SDP.
“The Kogi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, the democratically elected Governor of the State will be undaunted in its resolve to serve the people of the State rather than be entangled in the propaganda festival by the jobless and idle SDP.
“The Kogi State Government is unwavering in its stance on security and constitutionalism as the basic minimum in ensuring a peaceful and secured state.
“It is important to enlighten the SDP to the fact that the case at the Tribunal is between parties of which the State Government isn’t one.
It is the responsibility of the Government to protect all citizens irrespective of their political or religious persuasions.
“To this end, the State Government did not receive any report of politically stirred crisis and therefore surprised at the blatant, false, spurious and pedestrian claims by the Social Democratic Party in the party’s usual way of whipping up sentiments and spreading falsehood to win public sympathy.
“It is clear that SDP’s petition is suffering an irreversible setback at the Tribunal as the comedians they presented as witnesses probably didn’t rehearse their lines well or they are falling because their claims have their foundation in fiction.
” It will be unacceptable for them to vent their impending failure on the State Government that is doing all it can provide security for all in the State.
” The Kogi State Government doesn’t subscribe to violence and actions that breach the peace of the State.
” We will also not accept statements deliberately made to incite the people against the Government and possibly spark panic.
“The SDP must always be prepared for the consequences of their actions and utterances against the Kogi State Government or its officials.
“The illogic of the SDP’s claims is characteristic of a party that is desperately making efforts to hug the limelight through propaganda.
“Why would anyone attempt or even attack a witness that has testified against those that paid him to witness for them?
“The discerning public is following the tribunal case and understands there is no need to attack witnesses that are doing enough to make SDP lose woefully in the law court.
“The Governor of Kogi State is a law abiding gentleman who is working hard to consolidate on the achievements of the immediate past administration.
“He promised to protect all Kogites irrespective of their political and religious beliefs.
“His commitment to fulfilling such promises is iron cast and unimpeachable.
” For the National Chairman of the SDP to make false claims against the Kogi State Government before gentlemen of the Press is further proof of the party’s irrelevance and the reason the party is not controlling any state in the Federation.
” Kogi State cannot be a podium for the SDP to test its songs of division, ethnic bigotry and violence.
“It is absurd and incomprehensible for the SDP to continue to exhibit anti-democratic tendencies and provoke the sensibility of the people in such a reckless manner.
“If they are so confident in their incompetent petition, why resort to self help?
“As a legitimate Government, we won’t be soiled in the oil of prejudice that the SDP has engaged in with impunity.
“We will protect all the people and residents of the State and also protect our integrity and image.
“If any attack did happen as claimed by the SDP, it must have been stage-managed by the SDP to justify their failure to produce the number of witnesses they claimed to have in line with their modus operandi as witnessed during the campaign.
“We urge the people of the State to go about their normal businesses as there won’t be any chance for anyone to attack any Kogite.
“No stone will be left unturned to ensure peace and security in the State. ”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
