Date: 2012-06-30

The Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State alleged on Friday that thugs sponsored by a rival party attacked its officials and supporters. The party's Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mas'ud Adebimpe, alleged that the thugs invaded a PDP rally, where a former governor of the state, Bukola Saraki, was addressing party supporters ahead of the Oloje ward election, which holds on Saturday (today).

A rerun election is to hold in Balogun Alanamu and Oloje wards of the Ilorin West constituency for the Kwara House of Assembly.

Adebimpe, in a statement, denied the allegation by Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, the media aide to Mr. Dele Belgore, the Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria 2011 governorship candidate, that the PDP sent thugs to attack ACN chiefs and its candidate for the rerun, Mr. Abdul Goga.

He said, "Why must it be the same time the PDP rally was going on that the ACN considered appropriate to visit the ward, let alone waiting for their supposed candidate, knowing full-well that PDP was in the area?"

Adebimpe state that the ACN should be held responsible should there be a breakdown of law and order in the state.

Ajakaye had alleged that at about 5 pm on Thursday, thugs attacked the ACN chiefs and their supporters at the campaign venue.

He stated that the party chiefs, supporters and Goga were attacked while they were waiting for Belgore to address them at a campaign venue in Oloje area of Ilorin West.

 

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