Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kogi state chapter, said the popularity of its candidate for the Central Senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sent jitters down the spines of the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi Central Senatorial district, Chief Otenyiete Otuhuo, said on Monday that the popularity and strength of the party’s senatorial candidate in Kogi Central had thrown Governor Yahaya Bello and other All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state into panic.
‘’What they are seeing is the beginning of PDP’s victory in 2023. APC should be ready to move out of Kogi State. We do not want war. It is time that the APC realized that it has failed Kogi State people politically’’
He also condemned APC leaders for making Kogi State some sort of torture, kidnapping and killing chambers, since they take over mantle of leadership
He recalled that Okene Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Abdulrazak Yusuf, a few days ago gave one week notice to PDP in the local government area to vacate its party secretariat.
The PDP Chieftain alleged that one Safiu, a loyalist of Governor Yahaya Bello suspected to be on the pay roll of Abdulkarim Asuku, Chief of Staff to Bello, was abducted for renouncing violence and dumping the ruling party in the state.
The opposition PDP claimed it is possession a video online where a top government official in Kogi State vowed to send Safiu to where he was brought from.
In a statement in Lokoja, the PDP leader accused Bello and other top government functionaries of employing all kinds of tactics and blackmail to harass and intimidate members of the opposition.
Quoting from a petition to the Chief of Naval Staff, the PDP chieftain said Hon Musa Adelabu, a PDP Chairman of Okene Local Government Area was abducted/kidnapped on the 10th day of August 2018 from his residence.
According to Shedrack Demaki, Principal Partner, Demaki and Demaki, Rufai Jimoh was kidnapped on the 27th day of January 2021 along old Ageva Secretariat on the Lagos Highway, while Mr Hadi Abdulmaliki was abducted on the 3rd day of January 2022 at Ihiima in Okehi local government area.
‘’Mr Kasim Ismaila was also kidnapped on the 21st day of December at Agaminana. Ismaila Momoh was abducted from his house by gun men. Mr Monday Idowu was abducted on the 10th day of January 2022 by the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Abdulraheem Ohiare at Ihima. Abdulazeez Salami was abducted by Abdulraheem Ohiare on the 10t day of July 2019’’
Particularly Ohuhuo criticized Bello for his undemocratic conduct and breach of the peace in Kogi State.
‘’Series of kidnapping and abductions were orchestrated and carried out by government officials’
‘’Despotism and flagrant abuse of power represent the basic fabric from which the Yahaya Bello led APC administration is woven today. Something should be done to curtail the excesses of Kogi government officials and military personnel in the state’’
He also urged the police and navy to arrest Kogi State APC officials for crimes against humanity.
‘’Kogi APC officials have steadily kidnapped, harassed and beaten individuals that have been critical of Yahaya Bello’s policies.’’
