Eniola Yekini
Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to thoroughly investigate the alleged attack on campaign train in Ososa, Odogbolu Local Government Area, stressing that the police should conduct the probe with conscience.
The party Chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella made this appeal while addressing journalists on alleged political harassment and intimidation on PDP members
Tella further appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to send a special investigation team to the state over the alleged attack.
The alleged shooting according to report occurred in Ososa, the hometown of the APC deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun.
Tella stated that the incident happened on Wednesday during the party’s Ogun East campaign flag-off, which took off peacefully from various Local Governments through Ijebu-Ode to Odogbolu.
He narrated that the thugs unleashed attack on the last batch of vehicles in the convoy with gunshots and stones, vandalising many vehicles and injuring members.
The PDP said the investigation should expose the calibre of firearm used in the attack, alleging that bullets fired during the incident penetrated the alloy rim of a vehicle in its convoy.
Tella also described the IGP as an exemplary and conscientious leader who would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands, insisting that the PDP remains a peaceful party.
“We know what politics is in Nigeria. IGP Olatunji Ridwan Disu is an exemplary leader, a conscientious personality who will do everything to ensure that people do not take the law into their own hands. He said.
“The first thing I would plead with the IG to do is to thoroughly investigate what transpired on Wednesday and ascertain what type of gun was used to shoot at our candidate’s car. What type of gun was used to shoot at that particular rim that can penetrate it? I think that’s important.
“I think I have a right to walk anywhere in Ogun State, even by extension, in Nigeria. If I now have to be walking around and I have to watch my back, then it means they want to fail the IG. But I stand with him that he will not fail.
“So, by this medium, I request that he send his special team to Ogun State to come and investigate this particular issue because the PDP is a peaceful party. And that’s why we have to quickly run to the police,” he said.
The PDP chairman added that the case was reported at the Idowa Police Division and Igbeba Area Command, but decried that the police arrested PDP members who were supposed to be complainants.
He lamented that roughly five members are still in detention, while the perpetrators are still at large.
“These complainants are the people who were attacked, and they are our members. But they are the ones the police are now arresting, while the perpetrators of the attack against us have been left untouched.
“This, therefore, is to let the public know what the ruling party is doing to oppress and suppress the opposition. We also want to appeal to the Nigerian Police to act with conscience and conduct a thorough investigation into this particular matter.
“We also want the public to be aware of what we believe are the game plans of the ruling party to victimise and oppress the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he added.