APC, PDP allege attacks by opponents

Rival supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend clashed at separate locations in the state.

The latest attack followed another last week.

At Ilushi, in Esan South East Local Council area, supporters of the APC, including journalists covering the campaigns were allegedly attacked after a rally in the area.

There were reports that some of the supporters were injured and abducted with two campaign vehicles. Among those injured was a driver to the deputy governorship candidate, who claimed to have escaped.

Narrating his ordeal, the driver, simply identified as Maleke said:  “We were beaten, molested and almost thrown into the River Niger by the thugs. They barked at us for daring to campaign in the area, which they said has been secured for the PDP’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

“One of the thugs took away our mobile phones and ordered us to sit on the floor. It was when they learnt that the security agents had been mobilised to storm the area that they ran away. An unidentified woman who resides in the community assisted us to escape,” he explained.

Trouble was said to have begun at the campaign ground, when some PDP thugs infiltrated the crowd, breaking vehicle glasses and chanting solidarity songs, while carrying Ize-Iyamu’s posters.

The press crew vehicle and some journalists covering the campaign were also molested.

Last week, the APC members claimed they were attacked at Usugbenu, in Esan Central Local Council area for supporting the APC.

Also, the PDP campaign entourage alleged that it was waylaid by some youths in Jattu, hometown of Phillip Shaibu, the running mate to Godwin Obaseki.

The attack allegedly took place after the party had finished a rally in the town. The PDP said the matter was reported to the Auchi Police Area Command.