By Steve Oni, Ilorin
The Director – General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in Kwara state, Professor Abubakar Suleiman said the reign of violence unleashed on innocent residents of Ilorin, the state capital between Thursday and Sunday was a ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government to prepare grounds for elections’ postponement in the state.
Suleiman, equally challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to follow the footsteps of his predecessor by ensuring that his own ambition should not worth the blood of any Nigerian. .
The former minister of National Planning who was reacting to the attacks launched on the people of Agbaji quarters, Ilorin country home of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the peace loving people of the state would resist any attempt to turn the state into a theatre of war by a few desperate politicians.
Addressing a press conference in Ilorin Sunday night, the DG of the PDP campaign Council said the attacks on harmless residents and recent political developments in the state were an unusual scenario in Ilorin.
He said: “No doubt, this act of violence by the defunct characters in APC was carried out as a way of intimidating our party. And to us therefore as a party, it was nothing but a sign of defeat. We as a party will not condone any act that could militate against the peaceful existence of our people.
“Again, we will not fold our arms, watch some characters in their self seeking ambition to constitute real threat to our members and our good people of Kwara state. That this incident happened in the Senate President’s country home and environs speaks volumes.
“When the first incident happened on Thursday, we complained to the law enforcement agency, addressed press and issued warning to our members to remain calm. Our party is a peaceful party. Our party is a party on ground in Kwara state. Our party is not scared of any party at all.
“Our party is set for election in February 2019. Therefore, we have no cause at all to engage in any act of violence.
“We as a political party, PDP, remain resolute and will not engage in any act of brigandage and violence. And again, we want to appeal to APC led government, especially the law enforcement agents, police in particular to be on top of this job. A situation where policemen are escorting the hoodlums to raid houses, wreak havoc on people is uncivil.
“This is not the country of our own dream. This is not democracy we all fought for. It is unfortunate that today the people that were not part of struggle to enthrone democracy are the beneficiaries of democracy. That is why they wouldn’t know the value of democracy.
“We appeal to the IGP and other law enforcement agencies to assist Kwara people from these invaders, who want to turn Kwara to another theatre of war. There is no doubt that the act was premeditated. Causing violence before an election is to create an impression that Kwara is not conducive for any election.
“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful, to follow the footsteps of his predecessor by ensuring that his own ambition should not be worth the blood of any Nigerian. Violence should not be tolerated. What is happening in the last five days in Ilorin is an unusual scenario.”
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