THE Secretary of the media and publicity committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in the forthcoming Kogi State gubernatorial election, Dr Tom Ohikere, has called on the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Engr Musa Wada not to set the state on fire.
Addressing newsmen in Lokoja on Monday, he said Kogi State has enjoyed relative calm in recent times under the Governor Bello’s war against insecurity but the entry into the State by the candidate of the PDP for the official commencement of campaigning seems to be bringing up memories of the forgotten past and invoking fear among the people in the lead up to the election.
He said: “This weekend has been tumultuous for the people of Kogi State as a result of the violence orchestrated and perpetrated by thugs and miscreants of the People’s Democratic Party. We have also seen the gestures of their candidate in the election on the campaign trail in Anyigba, Anpka, Idah, Igalamela and other places which we believe is responsible for inflaming and escalating the situation on the ground and endangering lives and property.
“It is like anywhere they see the campaign vehicles of the APC, they rush to unleash mayhem. That is not a good and civilize way of campaigning. If not for the control of the APC over it supporters, the situation would have gone out of control, and we would continue to call on our supporters to exercise restraint.
“Violence use to be the traditional way of the PDP during their inglorious days of impunity and lawlessness.
“If the PDP has resorted to violence, it is because it is becoming obvious by each passing day that Kogites are not subscribing to their messages. We have made it known before know of their desperation and chauvinistic politics.
“The APC believes that instead of violence; let’s have a competition of ideas and compliance to civil decorum of healthy democratic contests.
Ohikere further called on the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies, to always act swiftly to pre-empt, prevent violence and uphold the rule of law necessary for the indigenes of the state to exercise their franchise in an ambience of decency.
