All is not looking good for the upcoming Guber election in Kogi state as signs of violence are everywhere.
The stakeholders’ meeting taking place in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, which had in attendance; the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu, and National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was disrupted by suspected political thugs.
The Punch reported that trouble started when the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party was prevented from entering the event hall of Idrinana Hotel venue of the meeting, which resulted in altercation between SDP governorship candidate Natasha Akpoti and security personnel at the entrance.
The security personnel tried to prevail on her to go back — plea which she rejected, saying she was duly invited for the meeting.
It was at this point that the police released tear gas to disperse the surging crowed while all those at the high table including the Inspector general of police and INEC chairman,Professor Mahmud Yakubu ran for cover.
The Chairman of SDP,Mouktar Atimah was manhandled and beaten up while trying to mediate.
Speaking shortly after the incident, Atimah said that what happened showed the extent to which our society had got rotten.
He is yet to gain enough strength to talk extensively when our correspondent sought to speak with him.
Speaking to Sahara Reporters, the SDP candidate said she was attacked by fierce looking thugs led by one Ojo, said to be a brother to the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor.
She said, “I was at the venue of the INEC’s stakeholders meeting taking place at Idrinana Hotel, Lokoja, when I was attacked.
“I was pulled out and pushed twice to the ground by the thugs.
“The thugs were about 30 in number and the security operatives were over 500.”
Akpoti lamented that the security operatives refused to intervene and lay off the thugs while she was being attacked.
She added, “Not one security stepped forward to stop the attack.”
