Alleged supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State have reportedly launched another aggressive assault against followers and backers of Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party’s candidate in the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election in Kogi State.
Sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that these masked political enforcers targeted the homes of SDP affiliates in Okene, resulting in the destruction and burning of personal belongings. This act of violence is believed to be in retaliation for the SDP members’ involvement in providing testimony at the Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal against the victory of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo.
A local informant disclosed to SaharaReporters that SDP advocates from Okene, particularly those from the Ebira-speaking community, attended court proceedings to present evidence of electoral discrepancies in the last state governorship election. Despite the threats, they vowed to continue supporting their party’s legal challenge against the election outcomes.
However, in a disturbing development shortly after their court appearance, the residence of Hon. Agomi Yusuf was viciously attacked. Attackers reportedly removed all possessions from his home and set them ablaze. Similar fates befell the Time Tell Pharmacy owned by Hon. Mumuni in Idoji -Inike Junction and the family home of Mustapha Otinawu in Ahogede Idozumi, among others.
Victims of these attacks shared their experiences with SaharaReporters, expressing dismay over the notion that affiliation with an opposition party could provoke such hostility. They condemned the continuous aggression from the APC and its supporters towards SDP members, especially in light of ongoing legal disputes over the election results.
Hon. Agomi Yusuf, particularly affected by the incidents, highlighted the severity of the attacks and criticized the apparent complicity of security forces in facilitating such political violence. He explained the circumstances leading to the devastation of his property and emphasized the fundamental right to political association and opposition in a democratic society.
Dahiru Orietesu, another victim, recounted the traumatic experience of his pregnant wife being brutally attacked by the aggressors, underscoring the personal toll of the political conflict. Despite the threats and violence, the victims remain steadfast in their commitment to challenging the current political status quo in Kogi State, with hopes for intervention from security agencies and a resolution to the violence and intimidation faced by opposition party members.