Kogi Commissioner for Information and spokesman of the Usman Ododo Campaign Council, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, has asked the security agencies to investigate how a female supporter of Usman Ododo was killed in the violence that rocked the ancient town of Koton-Karfe last week..
The unnamed lady was killed when the Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Muritala Ajaka, went campaigning in Koton-Karfe, and thugs believed to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed the town shooting guns and unleashing violence.
Fanwo alleged in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital that the gruesome murder of the unarmed woman at Kotonkarfe was “by people suspected to be the armed thugs of the candidate” of a political party.
He adds, While we commiserate with the family and the entire people of Kotonkarfe; we call on security agencies to ensure that those who threatened to kill and went ahead to kill have undoubtedly declared war on the Nigerian state, whose responsibility it is to protect the poor woman who was killed by bullets from the barrels of the … riffles.
“It is on record that the … Candidate already said the Commissioner of Police was not aware of his rally. The rally was a satanic ambush on the peace-loving people of Kotonkarfe, leaving in its wake, the blood of an innocent woman whose only sin was belonging to the All Progressives Congress. We call on the supporters of our party to remain calm as security agencies are trusted to ensure that killers don’t walk freely without consequences. The Kogi State APC Campaign Council will await the full reports of the security agencies.
“The initial statement of the Police authorities have been reassuring. There must be justice for the murdered soul. It is high time Kogites called the blood-sucking campaign of the … to order. Elections are won on the ballot and not via the bullet. Even in the face of glaring provocation, our party and our campaign will remain peaceful and play according to the rules of the game.
“The unguarded, inflammatory and acidic statements of the … on national television have not gone unnoticed. What is of surprise to us is how he gets away after calling a whole ethnic group “a common enemy”. He also said they were ready for violence. His utterances and actions are not supported by the Electoral Law. And we are sure INEC and relevant authorities have taken note of this.
“His campaign has been divisive and inciting, yet he walks around spreading the propaganda of him being hunted. They commit visible crimes and turn around to play the victims. The quietness of the law enforcement agencies has emboldened him to spill the blood of an innocent woman. His desperation in the face of looming humiliation at the polls has undoubtedly put him in a very dangerous corner. Only …and the thugs he moves around with think he has a chance. Conduct your poll in Kogi State today, even in Igala land, you will find that he is not even near the top two contenders in the forthcoming governorship election. The reason is that the good people of Igala land, having followed his activities over the years, and knowing that he lacks the intellectual capacity to represent them, would rather go with responsible candidates. He is not even near the list of hopeful contenders. He will be roundly defeated at the Poll and he will still account for his sins against humanity.
“We salute the people of Kotonkarfe for their perseverance and calm in the face of an unprovoked invasion and murder. We assure you of justice. The murdered won’t die in vain. (He) must pay for the blood of the innocent woman.
“In his characteristic way, the … candidate through his media handlers had claimed the poor woman was bearing arm. But they never showed us the arm she was bearing. The claim was a desperate attempt at sweeping the murder they committed under the carpet. You don’t kill the people who hold a contrary belief to yours. It was crude, criminal and callous.”
“Also, our attention has been drawn to calls by some hired guns, calling on the Director General of the Campaign Council to resign his appointment, citing divisive reasons for the call. The Director General of the Campaign Council is committed to executing a campaign that will usher in the Ododo era of consolidation and continuity.
“No amount of ethnic parroting can distract the politically sagacious Minister of Steel Development, HM Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, from the historic task ahead. His late father, Prince Abubakar Audu, was committed to a united, prosperous and peaceful Kogi State. The Director General is only following his footsteps. It is obvious that the rising profile of the Minister and his unassailable inroads into the hearts of the people of Kogi State has become the nightmare of these befuddled politicians.”