Kogi Governorship Campaign Turns Violent As SDP Candidate, Muri Ajaka Escapes Assassination From Alleged Governor Yahaya Bello’s Cronies

The Kogi State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, on Saturday afternoon escaped assassination by the whiskers when his convoy was attacked by gunmen allegedly working for the state Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Communications, Muritala Yakubu Organisation, Faruk Adejo Audu, in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja, said that Ajaka only survived by God’s power.
Audu stated that Ajaka and some vehicles accompanying him were approaching Lokoja in the vicinity of the ram market at about 3pm when two power bikes and Toyota Hilux overtook his car and forced it to a stop.
According to the statement, the assault was heralded by a Mercedes Benz Limousine with Governor Bello’s official crest accompanied by an open pick up loaded with masked and hooded men bearing AK-47 Assault Rifles.
Audu stated that “Mr Ajaka who was on his way to keep an appointment with the Mai Geri, a first-class traditional ruler of Lokoja and The Attah Igala in Idah decided to abort the journey and return to Abuja after conferring with the Commander of the Lokoja Naval Base.
“This again is another low score by Mr Yahaya Bello in the exercise of crude power and brute force.
“Bello is on record to have unleashed guns and gunmen on several citizens in the course of his Eight years draconian rule. Several persons have been killed by his hoodlums during electioneering while others are missing.
“Ajaka until recently was a member of the APC who was forced out of the governorship nomination by Mr Yahaya Bello who used minions and proxies to obtain an injunction from a Lokoja High Court restraining him from participating in the primaries.
“The brute action today is obviously a continuation of Bello’s desperation to stop Yakubu from continuing in the election.
“We appeal to the new President of the Federal Republic, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate that his administration will not permit the brigandage of the last eight years which has led to the deaths of thousands of Nigerians.
“Election is still five months away, but if Mr Bello does not get a strong signal that violence would not be allowed in the new administration several of our citizens will be killed by his thugs and gunmen before the polls.”
Meanwhile, the Kogi State government has reacted to the incident, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
Fanwo stated that Ajaka’s convoy, having sighted that of Governor Bello, blocked the road and Ajaka’s armed thugs allegedly started shooting sporadically at the convoy of the Governor.
The Commissioner stated that “A Tundra branded with the logo of the SDP and with SDP flags also blocked the Governor’s vehicle and occupants of the SDP branded Tundra were armed with Rifles and shotguns. The Governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic as the Governor is in high spirit.
“Some security aides and other aides attached to the Governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for medical attention.
“We urge the people of Kogi State to remain calm as security agents are in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack. The State Government will ensure that law and order are maintained as the attackers will be brought to justice.
“The Governor has warned that no APC member should involve in any reprisal attack as insecurity from any quarter will be met with stiff penalties.”