…Warns against Heating Up polity
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
SEN. Dino Melaye, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship candidate in the forthcoming Kogi gubernatorial election has condemned in strongest terms, the Saturday bloody clash between the convoys of Governor Yahaya Bello and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Governorship candidate, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka.
Melaye who made the condemnation in a statement on Saturday in Lokoja said the clash between the two parties on Abuja-Lokoja highway was uncalled for.
He described it as a clear threat to the peaceful conduct of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
“I am still being briefed about the details of the attack. I am aware that both the Governor and the SDP candidate’s team are trading blame over the attack.
“If the reports are anything to go by, I, Senator Dino Melaye, the Kogi State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemn in the strongest sense of it, such incidence.
“I call on both Governor Yahaya Bello and the SDP candidate not to heat up Kogi State with any chaos or crisis. The peace of Kogi State is paramount at all times.
“I call on the Federal Government of Nigeria as led by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use the Office of President of Nigeria that he currently occupies (pending the outcome of the Presidential Election Petition Court) to immediately commence investigation into the GYB/SDP clash.
“And ensure those involved are brought to book regardless of how highly placed they may be,” he said.
It would be recalled that the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo in a statement alleged that people believed to be supporters of the SDP governorship candidate blocked and attacked Gov. Bello’s convoy on Abuja-Lokoja highway.
Ajaka on the other hand, said that it was the other way round as claimed that the governor’s convoy came from behind and opened fire on his convoy while on his way from Koton-Karfe where he visited the Ohimege-Igu of Koton-Karfe.
Both sides claimed casualties as they all said some persons in their respective convoys sustained gunshot injuries.
