Press Release: Political Situation In Kogi Central Senatorial District
We wish to bring to the notice of the general public of the recent threat, arson, maiming, intimidation and arrest of our supporters in Kogi Central.
It is pertinent to state that the government of the day after series of attempt to frame our senatorial candidate on false charges and incarcerate her is now planning to assassinate our senatorial candidate, Barrister Natasha Akpoti.
The week preceding the postponed election on 16th February 2019 had series of unprecedented escalated violence unleashed on the communities and our supporters across Kogi central Senatorial Districtby the APC led government of kogi state and sadly in collaboration with the security agencies especially the Nigerian Police.
Burning of Natasha Akpoti’s Family House
On the Friday 15th of February 2019, at about 6:30pm, some armed hoodlums led by the Okehi Local Government Administrator, Hon. Abdulraheem Ohiare under the instructions of Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, raided the family House of the SDP Senatorial Candidate, Barr. Natasha HadizaAkpoti in Oride, Obeiba, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Unjust Arrest of Our Members
Earlier in the morning of 15th February 2019, the Okehi Local Government Administrator under the instructions of Governor Yahaya Bello, led the DPO and Area Commander of Okehi LGA to the house of the Steering Committee Chairman of Natasha Akpoti Campaign Organization, Alh. M. J Akpata to arrest 26 of our supporters including a 68 year old Uncle of Natasha Akpoti, Mr. David Akpoti and his daughter who took refuge at the Akpata’s residence from political attacks and harassment by the thugs.
The 70 year old widow of late Alh. Akpata was also beaten and dragged on the ground. Many were thoroughly beaten up and left with serious injuries on their body and dislocations in their joints for supporting Natasha’s candidature.
Destruction of our Properties
About fifteen houses and other properties such as bikes, cars, shops and others worth millions of naira belonging to our supporters were completely burnt and destroyed by known APC thugs in the area. Attached are pictorial evidences of the damages.
In the course of the attacks launched on our innocent supporters, many of our supporters were shot by the APC thugs in Ihima community focusing on our Senatorial Candidate’s house. 8 people sustained injury but further violence was averted by the prompt response from the Nigerian Army.
Governor Yahaya Bello’s Desirous to Rig Saturday’s Election
We have in good authority that the governor of Kogi State has high jacked uncollected Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) across the state to rig the forthcoming election.
Plans have been concluded to agents of the government to high jack electoral materials into the private residence of the governor, this can be verifiable with the recent discovery of ballot papers meant for the postponed election in the governor residence in Okene.
The Ihima Women’s protest.
Shortly after the calm of the violence on the morning of the 16th, the women of Ihima town trouped out in their thousands, old and young, expressing anger over the deterioration of peace in their communities under the APC led Yahaya Bello’s government, calling for the retrieval of guns given to the youths of the community by the Administrator of Okehi local government, Abdulraheem Ohiare under the instruction of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Prayers
1. We call for improved security arrangement by the relevant authorities in the forthcoming elections.
2. We pass a vote of no confidence on the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Okehi LGA and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, and urge for their redemployment.
3. We call for the arrest and prosecution of Okehi Administrator, Abduraheem Ohiare and Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Salami Ozigi for their involment in the heinous crime being committed in Okehi LGA.
Signed:
Mouktar Atimah
Kogi State Acting Chairman of SDP.
It is pertinent to state that the government of the day after series of attempt to frame our senatorial candidate on false charges and incarcerate her is now planning to assassinate our senatorial candidate, Barrister Natasha Akpoti.
The week preceding the postponed election on 16th February 2019 had series of unprecedented escalated violence unleashed on the communities and our supporters across Kogi central Senatorial Districtby the APC led government of kogi state and sadly in collaboration with the security agencies especially the Nigerian Police.
Burning of Natasha Akpoti’s Family House
On the Friday 15th of February 2019, at about 6:30pm, some armed hoodlums led by the Okehi Local Government Administrator, Hon. Abdulraheem Ohiare under the instructions of Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, raided the family House of the SDP Senatorial Candidate, Barr. Natasha HadizaAkpoti in Oride, Obeiba, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Unjust Arrest of Our Members
Earlier in the morning of 15th February 2019, the Okehi Local Government Administrator under the instructions of Governor Yahaya Bello, led the DPO and Area Commander of Okehi LGA to the house of the Steering Committee Chairman of Natasha Akpoti Campaign Organization, Alh. M. J Akpata to arrest 26 of our supporters including a 68 year old Uncle of Natasha Akpoti, Mr. David Akpoti and his daughter who took refuge at the Akpata’s residence from political attacks and harassment by the thugs.
The 70 year old widow of late Alh. Akpata was also beaten and dragged on the ground. Many were thoroughly beaten up and left with serious injuries on their body and dislocations in their joints for supporting Natasha’s candidature.
Destruction of our Properties
About fifteen houses and other properties such as bikes, cars, shops and others worth millions of naira belonging to our supporters were completely burnt and destroyed by known APC thugs in the area. Attached are pictorial evidences of the damages.
In the course of the attacks launched on our innocent supporters, many of our supporters were shot by the APC thugs in Ihima community focusing on our Senatorial Candidate’s house. 8 people sustained injury but further violence was averted by the prompt response from the Nigerian Army.
Governor Yahaya Bello’s Desirous to Rig Saturday’s Election
We have in good authority that the governor of Kogi State has high jacked uncollected Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) across the state to rig the forthcoming election.
Plans have been concluded to agents of the government to high jack electoral materials into the private residence of the governor, this can be verifiable with the recent discovery of ballot papers meant for the postponed election in the governor residence in Okene.
The Ihima Women’s protest.
Shortly after the calm of the violence on the morning of the 16th, the women of Ihima town trouped out in their thousands, old and young, expressing anger over the deterioration of peace in their communities under the APC led Yahaya Bello’s government, calling for the retrieval of guns given to the youths of the community by the Administrator of Okehi local government, Abdulraheem Ohiare under the instruction of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Prayers
1. We call for improved security arrangement by the relevant authorities in the forthcoming elections.
2. We pass a vote of no confidence on the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Okehi LGA and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, and urge for their redemployment.
3. We call for the arrest and prosecution of Okehi Administrator, Abduraheem Ohiare and Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Salami Ozigi for their involment in the heinous crime being committed in Okehi LGA.
Signed:
Mouktar Atimah
Kogi State Acting Chairman of SDP.
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