SDP Calls On Presidency To Investigate Shooting Incident in Kogi State 

The Kogi State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP and its Governorship Campaign Council has called on the presidency, National Assembly and Inspector-General of Police to set up independent inquiry into the recent campaign incident at Koton-Karfe and other alleged violence against members of SDP and its Governorship Candidate in the state.

Addressing a media briefing in Lokoja on Wednesday, leader of the SDP in the state, Hon. Hassan Adamu Enape, alleged that no fewer than 30 SDP members have been attacked at various times by a rival political party.

“We have video evidences to prove our innocence. The shootings, destructions of our party secretariat and other acts were desperate attempts by our political rivals to scare Voters because the waves of change is against them.

“We have lost confidence in the state police command and its leadership to protect us as the police in the state have failed to be impartial to both sides in the recent political acts of violence in the state as the state Commissioner of Police had falsely accused SDP members of being the troubleshooters whereas SDP members and our Governorship Candidate, Mr. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, are the victims of APC violence against the SDP and its members.

While the SDP leaders raised concerns on the level of alleged political thuggery against SDP in the state without adequate police protection, Hon. Enape, called on the presidency, National Assembly and Inspector-General of Police to immediately call Governor Yahaya Bello and state Commissioner of Police to order in the interest of peace, justice and security of Kogi state by putting an end to attacks on SDP members and its Governorship Candidate.

“We call on the presidency, National Assembly, and Inspector-General to urgently probe the recent political incidents in Kogi state through an independent inquiry into the campaign violence in the state. We state categorically our Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, does not in any way encourage violence despite all the provocations and violent acts against him and his political supporters across the state. The world is watching us and the truths about the happenings are well known to Kogi citizens, Nigerians and indeed the security agencies in the state,” Enape said.

SDP state executives, opposition politicians from across the state and members of SDP Governorship campaign council including its Director-general, Director of communication and new media and Director of security, Brigadier-General Benjamin Ibiyemi and other top notchers of the party attended the media briefing.

Confidence Okwuchi