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Kaduna Rally Attack: PDP condemns attack on Atiku’s supporters, fingers APC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the violent attack on its presidential campaign rally in Kaduna, Kaduna State capital on Monday, October.
PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, Monday said the attacks were carried out by heavily armed hoodlums allegedly sponsored by the liquidating All Progressives Congress (APC).
The opposition publicity, scribe who described the unprovoked attack as reprehensible said it further exposed the desperation of the APC.
Explaining the possible reason why they were allegedly attacked, PDP said the opponents are overwhelmed by the continuing popularity of its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The statement read in part “the aim of the APC for this attack is to frustrate the PDP Presidential Rally, trigger tension, violence and cause bloodletting in Kaduna State. This is contrary to the undertaking in the Peace Accord signed by political parties on September 28, 2022, in which the Presidential Candidate of the APC was conspicuously absent.
“The attack today by the APC must give well-meaning Nigerians concern as some reports allege that the vicious assault on the PDP Presidential Campaign was spearheaded by the APC governorship candidate in Kaduna State.
“The frustrated APC, having realized that it cannot legally and legitimately sponsor candidates for the 2023 general elections, has now resorted to violence and attacking our party members and innocent citizens to derail the entire democratic process.
“The APC is intimidated by Atiku Abubakar’s popularity and acceptance among the majority of Nigerians following their confidence in Atiku Abubakar’s practical experience, record, capacity, broad-mindedness, Pan-Nigerianism and willpower to unite our nation, revamp our devastated economy and guarantee security of lives and property in our country.
“In any case, our Party is undeterred by such cowardly attacks as Nigerians are already connected with our issue-based campaign and Atiku Abubakar’s message of hope which is already resonating throughout the nooks and crannies of our country.
“The PDP salutes the courage displayed by the people of Kaduna State in coming out en masse to resist and overwhelm the APC and its agents, ensure the success of the PDP Rally, reinforce their support for Atiku Abubakar and re-emphasize the fact that Kaduna State is home to PDP, which gave Atiku Abubakar the highest votes in the 2019 Presidential election.
“These desperate elements should be reminded that from history, the people of Kaduna State have never been cowed or subjugated and cannot now especially in their present resolve to vote in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria”.
PDP called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call his partymen to order and ensure adequate security for a free, fair and credible electoral process in our country.
A video currently circulating online has captured the moment a mentally derailed man is seen eating a sacrifice on the street of Lagos.
The video which is currently generating lots of comments online was recorded at a polling unit at Graceland Estate in Ajah
While eating it, passersby provided him with a bottle of water
In the video, a voice could be heard saying ” This is an overnight sacrifice that was kept in one of the polling units. A madman suddenly came out and started eating it. This is how God is destroying the work of the enemies. God will keep frustrating their plans in Jesus’ name “
See what happened to one of their sacrifices at a polling unit. Grace land estate Ajah so that people won’t vote 🤣
🤣🤣— Dr Penking™🇳🇬🇦🇺 (@drpenking) March 18, 2023
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos, Segun Agbaje addresses reporters on March 18, 2023
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections in 10 polling units in the Victoria Garden City (VGC) around the Lekki area of the state.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Segun Agbaje made the announcement when he addressed reporters at the VGC.
According to him, corps members deployed as ad hoc staff on Saturday were hesitant to enter the VGC estate as they alleged that they were held hostage in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Agbaje said the commission’s ad hoc staff set up voting materials in front of the estate on Saturday but the estate residents claimed that hoodlums might disrupt the process, so they did not feel secure and could not cast their votes.
He said the situation was difficult for security agents to contain hence he and his team had to come to the area.
“We have eight polling units here with 6,024 registered voters and out of which 5,624 people have their PVCs,” he stated, adding that two other polling units at the estate’s main gate were also affected. “Eight here (in the estate) and two outside,” he noted.
“After due consultation and further directive from the national headquarters that we should remobilise here tomorrow (Sunday) morning by 08:30am to conduct the elections.
“By 08:30am tomorrow (Sunday), we will reconvene here.”
Agbaje said the chairman of the security committee of the estate had assured the commission of the safety of corps members and INEC staff as well as the safety of voters.
Some of the polling units affected include PU 032,033, 119 -12
The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Tunde Doherty, whose polling unit is in the VGC scolded INEC for poor arrangement, saying the situation is “unfortunate”.
A party agent was arrested in the Oshodi area of Lagos with N3.2 million cash. This is just as a woman, who identified herself as a Ward leader in the Ejigbo area of Lagos was arrested with a herbalist, on the Isolo/Egbe road.
It was gathered that some Military men on patrol, who were alerted on the harassment of voters by thugs, were on their way to attend to the distress call when they intercepted some persons in one of the pooling units in Oshodi.
The bag of one of the unidentified agent attracted the Military personnel, who insisted to know what was inside.
After much hesitant, the party agent(names withheld) reluctantly opened the bag , where its content was discovered to be naira notes.
It was gathered that one of the Military patrol teams attended to not less than 24 distress calls between 8.30 am and 1.30 pm, from different polling units in Oshodi, Jakande Estate, Ejigbo, Ajao and Oke- Afa areas of the state.
One of the distress calls received from Igala estate on the Isolo/Egbe road, had a report of a voter whose skull was broken by a thug.
While attending another one at the Borokini hall, on the same axis at about 11.45am, a tricycle in which were three passengers was flagged down.
While one of the occupants, a woman whose identity could not be immediately ascertained claimed she was on her way to her ward in Ejigbo, others simply said they were going to vote .
However, when the two men were searched, one of them was discovered to have guarded his waist with kneated charms.
Upon further enquiry, the self acclaimed Ward leader said she hired the service of the herbalist and the other passenger to accompany her to her ward.
Three of them were whisked away in the Military patrol van.
Some suspected thugs were also arrested .
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