Lokoja – The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council in Kogi State has called on security agencies to bring to justice , those responsible for killing of a female member of the party in Koton Karfe area of the state on Friday , September 29.
The APC Governorship Campaign Council which made the call on Monday during a press conference in Lokoja condemned the gruesome killing of the woman, blaming members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the dastardly act.
Spokesman of the campaign council, Kingsley Fanwo who addressed the press conference, insisted that the woman was killed by people suspected to be armed thugs of the governorship candidate of the SDP, Alh. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka.
Fanwo, on behalf of the council then commiserated with the family and the entire people of Koton Karfe over the sad incident
“We call on security agencies to ensure that those who threatened to kill and went ahead to kill have undoubtedly declared war on the Nigerian state, whose responsibility it is to protect the poor woman who was killed by bullets from the barrels of the SDP riffles,” he said.
He also accused Ajaka of holding political rallies across the state without notification and due permission from the police, explaining that the Koton Karfe rally during which the woman was killed was held without the knowledge and approval of the police.
“1t is on record that the SDP Candidate already said the Commissioner of Police was not aware of his rally.
“The rally was a satanic ambush on the peace-loving people of Koton Karfe, leaving in its wake, the blood of an innocent woman whose only sin was belonging to the All Progressives Congress,” he said.
Fanwo who also double as the state Commissioner for Information called on members of the APC across the state to remain calm and not to avenge the killing of the woman.
He said : “We call on the supporters of our party to remain calm as security agencies are trusted to ensure that killers don’t walk freely without consequences.
” The Kogi State APC Campaign Council will await the full reports of the security agencies.
“The initial statement of the Police authorities have been reassuring.
“There must be justice for the murdered soul.
“It is high time Kogites called the blood-sucking campaign of the SDP to order.
“Elections are won on the ballot and not via the bullet.”
He then promised that “even in the face of glaring provocation, our party and our campaign will remain peaceful and play according to the rules of the game.”
According to him, the
unguarded, inflammatory and acidic statements of the SDP candidate, Alh. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka on national television have not gone unnoticed.
“What is of surprise to us is how he gets away after calling a whole ethnic group “a common enemy”.
“He also said they were ready for violence.
“His utterances and actions are not supported by the Electoral Law.
“And we are sure INEC and relevant authorities have taken note of this.
“His campaign has been divisive and inciting, yet he walks around spreading the propaganda of him being hunted.
“They commit visible crimes and turn around to play the victims.
“The quietness of the law enforcement agencies has emboldened him to spill the blood of an innocent woman.
“His desperation in the face of looming humiliation at the polls has undoubtedly put him in a very dangerous corner.
“Only Muritala Yakubu and the thugs he moves around with think he has a chance.
“Conduct your poll in Kogi State today, even in Igala Land , you will find that he is not even near the top two contenders in the forthcoming governorship election.
“The reason is that the good people of Igala Land, having followed his activities over the years, and knowing that he lacks the intellectual capacity to represent them, would rather go with responsible candidates.
“He is not even near the list of hopeful contenders. He will be roundly defeated at the Poll and he will still account for his sins against humanity, Fanwo said.
The campaign council commended the people of Koton Karfe for their perseverance and calmness in the face of unprovoked invasion and murder by armed thugs of the SDP.
“We assure you of justice. The murdered won’t die in vain. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka must pay for the blood of the innocent woman.
“1n his characteristic way, the SDP candidate through his media handlers had claimed the poor woman was bearing arm.
“But they never showed us the arm she was bearing. The claim was a desperate attempt at sweeping the murder they committed under the carpet.
” You don’t kill the people who hold a contrary belief to yours. It was crude, criminal and callous,” it said.
Fanwo also faulted calls by some people on the Director – General of the campaign council, Alhaji Shaibu Abubakar Audu to resign from the position
He accused some people he described as “hired guns” as being behind the calls on Audu who is currently the Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, saying the calls were divisive.
“The Director-General of the Campaign Council is committed to executing a campaign that will usher in the Ododo era of consolidation and continuity.
“No amount of ethnic parroting can distract the politically sagacious Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, from the historic task ahead.
“His late father, Prince Abubakar Audu, was committed to a united, prosperous and peaceful Kogi State.
“The Director -General is only following his footsteps.
“It is obvious that the rising profile of the Minister and his unassailable inroads into the hearts of the people of Kogi State has become the nightmare of these befuddled politicians,” he said.
As the November 11, 2023 Governorship election, draws near, Fanwo said the APC Candidate, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo remained uncompromisingly committed to an issue-based campaign that is devoid of violence, ethnocentric narratives or divisive tendencies.
He said : “Under the leadership of the Campaign Chairman, His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello, CON, and the Director-General, HM Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, our Campaign has been peaceful, uniting and a true reflection of the enduring legacies that have kept our party at the apex of political performance in our dear state.
“1ssue-based campaign entails tailoring our promises, assurances and social contract with the peace-loving people of our dear state through the media to the people.
“Ododo Ahmed Usman (OAU) wants the people of the state to be convinced by the legacies of the system he served in, his promises of consolidation and continuity, his antecedents and competence, as well as his message of unity. His clip to these ideals is iron cast.”. (vitalnewsngr.com)
