Lokoja – The Kogi State Council Of Traditional Chiefs, has condemned the Saturday, June 3 attack on the convoy of Governor Yahaya Bello.
The council led by Atta Igala, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa Ogwuche-Akpa, made the condemnation on Monday in Lokoja during a solidarity visit to Governor Bello at the Government House.
Atta Igala , who came along with other traditional rulers from across the state expressed the sympathy of the council to the governor over the attack on his convoy by armed political thugs while on his way from Abuja to Lokoja on Saturday.
The Atta Igala strongly condemned the attack, calling it a criminal act that must not be allowed to repeat itself in Kogi State.
Ogwuche-Akpa, also cautioned candidates and political parties participating in the forthcoming governorship election and their followers to ensure that their campaigns are conducted without resorting to violence or intimidation.
The foremost traditional ruler then prayed for the continuous well-being of Governor Yahaya Bello and the progress of Kogi State.
Also speaking, the Ohimege-Igu of Koto Karfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, acknowledged that the state has been enjoying significant peace and tranquility under administration Governor Yahaya Bello, stressing the need to sustain the existing peace.
He also urged politicians in the state to adhere to the rules and eschew all forms of violence.
Responding, Governor Bello, said that he was still in shock over the attack on his convoy by suspected political thugs.
The governor said he was returning to Lokoja from Abuja on the fateful day when he observed that his convoy was not moving.
On enquiry, he said he was told by his security details that it was supporters of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, the candidate of the SDP in the coming governorship election that were obstructing the movement of vehicles on the highway.
Bello explained that in spite of all efforts made by his security details, the suspected thugs refused to leave the road, a development which he said made his convoy to follow behind Murtala’s convoy from Koto Karfe to Lokoja.
According to the governor, it was in the process that his convoy came under attack from the suspected thugs to be loyal to Muritala Yakubu Ajaka.
The governor described the attackers’ actions as criminal, emphasising that such lawlessness would never be tolerated in the state.
He called on security forces and traditional rulers in the state to play their part in ensuring that the existing peace in the state is sustained.
Bello also stressed the need for collective efforts to combat criminality and firmly stated that there is no room for division in Kogi State.
The governor commended the traditional rulers for their proactive and fatherly guidance, expressing his appreciation for their sympathy visit.
He warned politicians using ethnicity to divide the people to desist, saying that Igalas and Ebiras are from the same source.(vitalnewsngr.com)
