APC, PDP trade accusations over violence in Lagos

JUST 10 days before the general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trading blames over recent violent attacks and killings in Lagos State.

   Leadership of the APC Wednesday raised alarm over “growing victimization by the PDP” in the state, even as they alleged “unfair disposition” of the Nigeria Police Force and other federal agencies in favour of the PDP.

   APC Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, told reporters that members of the PDP were behind recent atrocities and killings in Agege area of the state.

   In a swift reaction, however, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Lagos, Taofeek Gani said it was the APC that is guilty of growing provocation.

   Gani said, the APC, being the ruling party, “is using all apparatus of power” at its disposal to victimize opposition.

   He said the APC was only crying wolf because “they seem to be losing relevance”, adding that many PDP supporters had either been killed or maimed in different parts of the state.

   Igbokwe said: “Like a thief in the night, they have waylaid our supporters, humiliate, intimidate, maim and even kill with reckless abandonment. We are appealing to the law enforcement agencies to rise to the occasion before it is too late.”

   He explained that on Thursday, January 22, 2015 in Agege, an APC supporter, Mr. Eyitayo Peter was shot dead while Lanre Ogunjimi sustained serious injury after a brazen attack by the supporters of Niyi Raheem, a House of Representatives candidate of PDP.

   “The matter was reported at Elere Police Station and up till now we are yet to get a clear picture of what transpired on that day. Human rights community in that area has asked the police to deploy all power within its fold to unravel the killers of Eyitayo without success.

   “Recently we witnessed another brazen display of impunity and lawlessness when our governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode’s supporters at Mosan-Okunola LCDA who were on a door-to-door campaign were attacked leaving more than 10 vehicles damaged and scores wounded,” he stated.

   The APC leadership also berated the police on its comment against the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) in which the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti threatened to arrest LASAA officials who attempt removing any illegally pasted political posters.

   Gani, however, dismissed the allegation as another ploy by the APC to whipping up sentiment and discredit PDP candidates in the state.

   “On the contrary, it is the APC which out of desperation to retain Lagos is attacking PDP viz: Assaulting candidates and members, destroying PDP campaign materials across the state, preventing PDP from using all strategic Lagos State government property including radio and television. The highpoint being the verbal attacks against our governorship candidate at APC rallies.”

   Continuing, he said: “We are not going to be provoked or distracted out of our way to winning Lagos in this coming election. We will advise APC to be honest in admitting that the attacks are from their within and a ripple effect of the general imposition of candidates in their party,” he said.