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Kogi Guber: SDP carpets Kogi CP, wants IG’ s Probe on attack of members in Kotonkarfe
The Social Democratic Party has called on the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun to institute independent enquiry into the circumstances that led to the attack on her members at a rally on 29 September, 2023 in Kotonkarfe, headquarters of Kogi Local Government Council of the state.
The Party noted that his intervention has become necessary as the Commissioner of Police Mr Bethrand Onuoha who had already taken position against the party cannot set up a justifiable and acceptable investigation panel.
SDP stated this in a world Press Conference held in Lokoja, to shed lights on the ugly situation that led to the disruption of its rally and a death of APC woman by agents of APC in Kotonkarfe.
Addressing the Press, the Director General, Muri/ Sam campaign Council in Kogi East , Alhaji Hassan Enape, said , the Party followed due process for the rally.
He added that both the police and the DSS duly acknowledged their request to stage the rally and was surprised when the CP in a press release described Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, SDP candidate as lawless and a disobedience to his office, was the highest exhibition of unprofessional conduct by the Commissioner of Police.
He noted that it was unethical for CP to launch a thorough investigation into the matter and the same time making derogatory statement against Muritala Ajaka,a party in the crisis, stressing that one cannot aprobate and reprobate on the same matter.
He added that all the issues raised by the CP were false , malicious and defamatory against his principal who is a believer in the rule of law.
He added that Muritala Ajaka and the SDP campaign council never move with thugs as alleged by the CP , but legally approved policemen by the IG and other Security personel, saying the law permits the party to campaign across the state at this material time of electioneering process.
He wondered why the commissioner of police who is supposed to be neutral in this matter has enmeshed himself by aligning with APC when he should know that his first allegiance is to the people and not to an individual or kogi state government.
” How can the commissioner in his right frame of mind said Ajaka refused to honour his invitation. Was he not aware of the Court order restraining him and his agents from inviting him. It is a disobedience of court order to honour CP’s invitation while the court order is subsisting.
” Was the police not aware of the rally and Was the incidence at HRM Ohimege palace and the venue of the SDP campaign rally that was vandalized and shooting that took place there. Was two parties given approval to stage rally on the same date and the same venue. Will it be SDP that will attack its rally. There is more to the CP than meet the eyes. In Nigeria anything goes and may be that is why the CP is playing to the gallery.” He asked
The Director General appealed to President Tinubu to beam his searchlight on Kogi state as Governor Yahaya Bello has earned the reputation for election violence, saying he should be halted to save the lives of kogi people whom he swore on oath to protect.
He alleged that Governor Bello had used his thugs to harass the National headquarters of APC in Abuja when his nominee failed to make to National Working Committee of the party and his inglorious use of unconventional force to intimidate Dangote company limited was still fresh in the minds of Nigerians .
He stressed that election is about appealing to the people and not by coercion, saying the SDP has become a movement in the state and no harassment and intimidation can stop the people from exercising the franchise on the November 11,2023.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased woman, and those of his supporters who sustained injuries urged candidates and their supporters to play the game by the rules as the bottom line of politics is to improve the well-being and livelihood of the people.
Recall that the SDP campaign Rally in Kotonkarfe last week Friday was marred with violence with a fatality and many wounded with allegation and counter allegations by SDP and APC.
