Date: 2015-02-05

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the unprovoked attacks of its members by hoodlums and thugs loyal to PDP governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola at Isapa, Ekiti local government area of Kwara State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Publicity Secretary of APC in Kwara State, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the party described the attack on its members as unfortunate, unjustifiable and barbaric.

"We condemn the unprovoked and coordinated attacks on our party members and supporters by PDP thugs who are loyal to Senator Simeon Ajibola in Isapa, Ekiti local government area of Kwara State on Wednesday.

"APC members were not only shot and attacked, the convoy of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed's advance team was also ambushed and attacked. Many of our campaign vehicles were destroyed while scores of our party members were injured during the coordinated and sponsored attack on our party members.

"To say the least, the PDP-sponsored attack on our party members is unfortunate, unjustifiable and barbaric.

"The people of Kwara State should know that Senator Simeon Ajibola has betrayed the letters and spirit of the anti-violence pact he signed at the instance of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Kwara State, Emmanuel Onucheyo recently.

"We admit that Senator Ajibola is from Isapa but sponsoring political thugs to attack APC members can never be a test of popularity. The ultimate test of Ajibola's popularity in Isapa remain in the projects he has refused to execute and the number of Isapa indigenes he has failed to empower since 2003 when he was elected to the National Assembly. Not even violence can save Senator Ajibola from looming defeat at the poll.

"Meanwhile, since the ultimate test of leadership is the ability to exercise firm control on followers and supporters, we advise Senator Ajibola to promptly tame the violent activities of his rampaging political thugs in Kwara State.

"The Police and other security agencies should probe this breach of public peace by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate.

"We urge our members and supporters to resist the temptation to embark on any reprisal attack. APC is a peaceful party and our commitment to peace is stable, steady and unwavering.", the statement read.