Kogi APC Accuses SDP Of Senseless Attack On INEC Office, Calls For Arrest Of Ajaka, Thugs
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In a startling turn of events, supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State launched an attack on the State Secretariat of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja on Wednesday.
Their protest was fueled by allegations of “INEC’s dubious tampering with election materials.” Security forces intervened swiftly, using tear gas to disperse the protesters and blocking access to the INEC Office.
The initially peaceful demonstration took a violent turn when some protesters, exhibiting thuggish behavior, began hurling dangerous objects and harassing bystanders. The SDP protesters demanded the relocation of election materials to Abuja, expressing concerns that the materials at the INEC Office had been compromised by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A protester named Danjuma claimed, “We have it on good authority that the APC and Yahaya Bello have tampered with the election materials,” adding a threat to make Kogi State ungovernable if their demands were not met. He insisted that the original materials be presented to INEC to replace what they believed were doctored ones.
Responding to the accusations, Kingsley Fanwo, the Director of Media and Publicity/Spokesperson for the Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Council, dismissed the claims as “senseless” and called for the arrest of the SDP candidate, Murtala Ajaka, and his supporters. Fanwo stated that the APC would issue an official statement later, emphasizing that the SDP’s allegations lacked evidence.
Fanwo urged the SDP to allow the Tribunal to operate peacefully and give INEC the necessary space to carry out its work within the bounds of the law. The statement emphasized that the SDP’s actions were an attempt to play the victim and cover their electoral defeat.
The APC had emerged victorious in the November 11 governorship election, with Usman Ododo polling 446,237 votes to defeat Murtala Ajaka of the SDP, who secured 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party trailed with 46,362 votes.
In an official press release, Fanwo labeled the SDP’s actions as an attempt to destroy government institutions and maintain a false claim to popularity. He commended the security forces for averting a potential crisis and urged APC supporters to remain law-abiding despite provocation. Fanwo reiterated the party’s readiness for any legal challenges, asserting confidence in winning an election deemed the freest and fairest in the state’s history.
