Cyril Mbah, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that members of its Baruten Local Government chapter in Kwara State were ambushed and attacked during its recent pre-campaign tour.
The party claimed that the entourage was attacked and stoned in Gwanara community during the tour of its chairmanship candidate, Engr. Suleiman Bolakale Kawu.
In a statement signed by Comrade Sinabio Abdulsalam, the Media and Publicity officer, Baruten Local Government PDP and Hon. Abubakar Ahmed Sidi Campaign Organisation, the party said it was setting the records straight following a press conference credited to its Gwanara Ward Chairman denying the attack.
The PDP described the press conference as false, misleading and allegedly sponsored by the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
According to the statement, the party’s entourage was indeed stoned at Gwanara by persons it described as APC loyalists, resulting in a vehicle in its convoy having its glass shattered.
The party explained that the affected vehicle was borrowed by one of its members from an APC member without disclosing that it would be used for a PDP rally, adding that the owner is now denying damage to the vehicle to cover up the attack by his party members.
The PDP further alleged that after the attack, members of the Gwanara community loyal to the APC, led by one Yunusa Salihu popularly known as J-Brother, forcefully coerced the Gwanara Ward Chairman to hold a press conference without the knowledge, consent or authorisation of the PDP Chairman.
It stated that the Ward Chairman spoke under duress and pressure to deny the incident, stressing that his statement does not represent the position of the PDP in Gwanara or Baruten Local Government or at the state and national levels.
The party maintained its position that the Gwanara Ward Chairman was forced to hold the press conference and stated that the stoning of its vehicle by APC members actually occurred.
It described the incident as a clear case of intimidation and political thuggery by APC elements in Gwanara who, according to the PDP, are jittery about the rising popularity of the PDP and its candidates, including Engr. Suleiman Bolakale Kawu, Dr. Kolo Baba Jiya, Hon. Abubakar Ahmed Sidiq and Hon. Adamu Abdulmalik Toure.
The PDP called on security agencies to take note of what it called a pattern of intimidation against its members in some states.
It added that the PDP in Baruten remains united, focused and undeterred, and that no amount of intimidation will stop its message of rescue and hope.
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
