The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Secretariat in Lokoja has been burnt down by suspected thugs in the early hours of Monday.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Busari who confirmed the attack said the police had commenced investigation on the incident.
The party had earlier raised the alarm that there was an ongoing plan to attack the convoy of the SDP candidate, Barr Natasha Akpoti adding that the unfolding event has affirmed the allegation.
However, the party’s Governorship candidate, Akpoti who visited the office on Monday morning after the inferno alleged that there was plan by governor Yahaya Bello to attack her convoy adding that the unfolding event has affirmed the allegation.
She claimed her state Secretariat in Lokoja was allegedly attacked by some gunmen suspected to be supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who burned it down.
She alleged that there was a pattern of intimidation and harassment in which citizens of the state are subjected to if they do not support Governor Yahaya Bello’s second term bid.
“Is this how we are going to sit down and watch the illegality of APC in Kogi State. They invaded our party Secretariat with arms, shooting sporadically and destroyed everything and then burnt down the property just because of an election?
She called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and other political stakeholders to call Yahaya Bello to order before it is too late.
“Kogi State belongs to every Kogi citizen. I see no reason why Bello should think that he can use violence to achieve his aims. We will not allow that and the people of Kogi have spoken,” she said.
Also speaking, the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Muktar Atimah condemned in strong terms, the burning of the party Secretariat by some thugs.
Responding to the allegations, the Director-General Media and Publicity to the governor, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo said Natasha Akpoti was playing to the gallery and should deal with her issues and leave the Governor out of her travails.
“She is always playing the victim and whipping up unwarranted sympathy. The Governor is against violence and has already told security agents to ensure the governorship election is peaceful. He can never be behind that,” he stated.
