By Nicholas Ojo
Suspected political thugs have attacked the campaign trail of Natasha Akpoti, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 2023 elections killing one and injuring several others in the process.
QUEST TIMES learnt that the thugs attacked Natasha’s supporters during the flag-off campaign train started at Okene and ended at Adavi over the weekend.
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The thugs were reported to poses dangerous weapons like sticks and machetes to frighten PDP supporters while inflicting serious injuries.
One PDP supporter was shot before they were repelled by security operatives.
“The rally was going on peacefully till the thugs started shooting. One person was shot in the back as he was trying to escape. He is currently at a hospital receiving treatment,” a source told SaharaReporters.
“We thank God that the police were able to quickly intervene and overpower the thugs. Yahaya Bello is living up to his threat of attacking and killing opponents. He came to Okene to threaten that he will use firepower. We want the police and the presidency to call Yahaya Bello to order.”
The Kogi State chapter of the PDP had raised the alarm over an alleged plot by Governor Yahaya Bello, to unleash a killer squad on opponents ahead of the 2023 general elections.
State Chairman of the PDP, Engr. Sam Uhuotu, raised the alarm at a media briefing in Abuja, in September.
The Kogi State PDP chairman said: “Our attention has been drawn to the crude, sad and disturbing video clip making the rounds on various social media platforms wherein the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello was busy inciting his supporters to unleash violence on opposition parties during the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.
“The Governor issued this threat on Sunday the 4th of September, 2022 at Ihima, Kogi State while addressing his party faithful and loyalists
“In the video, Governor Bello was heard issuing threats in which he said, ’I will personally light a fierce fire in my hand whoever wants it we shall use it to burn them, whoever survives it will thank God… Whoever is against us, we will make him or her join my (late mother) and lie with her in grave.”
Uhuotu explained that party members are worried that Yahaya Bello who is supposed to be the Chief Security Officer of the State, protecting lives and property was threatening the innocent people of the state he took an oath to protect, thereby creating an atmosphere of fear and tension, of breach of public peace, that could truncate the 2023 electoral process and derail our democracy.
He further said: “The brazen threat by Governor Yahaya Bello raises apprehensions in the public space of the existence of a killer squad established to inflict violence on Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections.
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“The posture and body language of Yahaya Bello since he assumed office in 2016 leaves no one in doubt as to the gruesome killings and sudden disappearance of several PDP Party faithful in Kogi State.
The PDP appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to immediately call Governor Bello to order and place him and his supporters on security watch list ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
The Kogi State PDP chairman said: “Our attention has been drawn to the crude, sad and disturbing video clip making the rounds on various social media platforms wherein the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello was busy inciting his supporters to unleash violence on opposition parties during the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.
“The Governor issued this threat on Sunday the 4th of September, 2022 at Ihima, Kogi State while addressing his party faithful and loyalists
“In the video, Governor Bello was heard issuing threats in which he said, ’I will personally light a fierce fire in my hand whoever wants it we shall use it to burn them, whoever survives it will thank God… Whoever is against us, we will make him or her join my (late mother) and lie with her in grave.”
ALSO READ: Yahaya Bello Vs Natasha: Kogi Govt wants PDP to pay N37.5m for campaign posters
Uhuotu explained that party members are worried that Yahaya Bello who is supposed to be the Chief Security Officer of the State, protecting lives and property was threatening the innocent people of the state he took an oath to protect, thereby creating an atmosphere of fear and tension, of breach of public peace, that could truncate the 2023 electoral process and derail our democracy.