A governorship campaign rally organized by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ejule, Ofu local government area of Kogi State, was marred by an attack from armed political thugs. These thugs, suspected to have affiliations with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, not only disrupted the event but also caused significant damage to vehicles and other valuable assets, resulting in losses worth millions of naira.
The attack occurred before the rally even had a chance to commence. Witnesses reported that gunmen, allegedly working on behalf of the APC, invaded the St. Matthew’s Primary School venue of the event, firing shots indiscriminately into the air. The sudden gunfire sent supporters of the SDP gubernatorial candidate, Murtala Ajaka, into a state of panic, with people fleeing the scene.
The SDP supporters had been in the process of setting up chairs and canopies for the rally when the thugs descended on them, causing destruction to nearby vehicles and valuable items.
Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the Director of Media and Communications for the Muri/Sam Governorship Campaign Council, placed the blame on the ruling APC, accusing them of sponsoring the violent attack. According to Adejoh-Audu, “The gunmen, led by one Mohammed Nasir Alfa, said to be the Assistant State Chairman of the APC (Kogi East District), descended on the rally venue at Ejule and started shooting sporadically to disperse a mammoth crowd of SDP supporters that had gathered for the event.”
He further noted that some witnesses had identified notorious thugs known to work for the APC among the armed individuals, who were estimated to be more than 30 in number.
Adejoh-Audu also pointed out that there had been prior threats from Governor Yahaya Bello to his aides and senior APC officials, warning them that they would face consequences if an SDP event took place in their hometowns.
The Muri/Sam Campaign Council expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence, and the allegations of a sitting governor using his aides and thugs to disrupt the electoral process. With the election date just three weeks away, the situation is growing increasingly desperate.
In response to the incident, the campaign council called upon President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to intervene promptly and address the situation in Kogi State to prevent any further undermining of democracy in the state.