From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Chairman, SDP Campaign Council, Kogi East, Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape, has cried out to the Inspector General of Police (IG) to call the Kogi Commissioner of Police (CP) to order over his attitude towards its governorship candidate.
Alhaji Hassan Yakubu made the call during a press conference, refuting an allegation of murder in Kotonkarfe, leveled against members of the Social Democratic Party by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, in Lokoja.
He pointed out that the Kogi Commissioner of Police has kept mute to several reports of destruction of SDP’s property, burning of secretariats both at the state and local government headquarters, and setting ablaze of houses and cars belonging to SDP supporters.
He expressed displeasure over a statement credited to the Commissioner of Police, that SDP was not granted permission to hold its rally on that fateful Friday when the ugly incident took place.
The DG, who flaunted the photocopies of the application for permission written to the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies before journalists, wondered why the Police Commissioner could describe the candidate of SDP, Muritala, as a violator of the rule of law.
“Alhaji Muritala Ajaka and his dignitaries were at the palace of the Ohimege-Igu of Kotonkarfe for a courtesy visit when suspected thugs of Governor Bello stormed the palace with an APC-branded vehicle and started shooting sporadically. People scampered for safety while those at the venue took to their heels.”
“Our canopies, chairs, and rostrum were destroyed by Bello’s thugs. If not for Bello’s thugs, how can SDP members hunt themselves with guns and destroy their own property in a rally organized by their own party’s candidate?”
Yakubu pointed out that recent remarks by the CP, Onuoha Bethr, indicted and incriminated the party and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka.
Recalled that the CP, through the Command’s Public Relation Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, had issued a press statement on Sunday accusing SDP and its candidate of some infractions in the state.
“For the record, several invitations extended to the SDP and ADC Candidates for interaction and consultation with the Police to shed light, provide explanations, and give their own side of the story on Petitions written against them were to no avail,” the statement said.
“His (SDP Candidate’s) refusal to deal with the police is undermining peace in the state, has been impeding efforts to streamline and regulate political activities.”
“It has, in turn, greatly contributed to the pockets of political violence being witnessed in the State presently. His riding roughshod and engaging in political brinkmanship and brigandage is an ill-wind that blows no one any good,” said the CP.
“These have made us believe that there is no level playing field as regards Security apparatus by the CP in Kogi state.”
The chairman of the SDP campaign organization, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police (IG) to set up an independent panel of investigation to unveil those responsible for the death of the woman.”
