…PDP, APC trade blames
The convoy of Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State was attacked in Coker area of Aguda in the Surulere Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
During the attack which took place on Friday, the attackers fired shots and destroyed some of the vehicles in Adediran’s convoy.
Jandor, alongside some party members and supporters, were on a political mission before the attack.
The attack left several people injured while three people reportedly died.
Reacting, the Lagos PDP spokesman, Hakeem Amode, accused the main opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of sponsoring the attack.
“The APC sponsored thugs in Surulere local government of Lagos state unleashed violence on persons and groups of people in the area ahead of the scheduled visitation of the PDP gubernatorial candidate visit to the ward on Thursday and Friday, in continuation of Jandor’s tour of the 245 wards in Lagos State.
“The hoodlums went to the Baale of Ojuoluwa in Empire area of the LGA to threaten him not to receive the entourage who was billed to pay him a courtesy visit.
“The gates leading to the entire empire area were locked and vehicular movement around the area disrupted.
“In the same vein, the canopy and chairs arranged at Iponri Housing Estate was violently destroyed by APC killer-thugs who were armed with dangerous weapons including guns and many of our members who were making the arrangements was wounded in the fracas.
“The same set of the APC-sponsored thugs mobilised themselves to Soloki Street, Aguda, where Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran went to observe Jumat prayers, wielding dangerous weapons, destroying vehicles in the entourage and violently smashing one of the campaign vehicles.
“They also vandalised the campaign vehicles of our House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Soyinka, who is a sitting member of the House of Representatives.”
The PDP spokesman added that the political thugs also vandalised the PDP secretariat at No. 2 Shittu Street, Aguda, during which several members of our party sustained various degrees of injury.
He said a similar incident also occurred on Teniola Street where members of the community, who were waiting to receive Mr Adediran’s entourage, were dispersed and many were also wounded during the attack.
Mr Amode appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure no intimidation and harassment undermined efforts towards organising credible elections, especially in Lagos State.
In a swift reaction, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC spokesperson, said that Mr Adediran unleashed terror on innocent residents, and three people were reportedly killed during his campaign in Surulere.
“The incident left in its wake several injured victims, and three people reportedly died.
“In broad daylight, Jandor’s thugs fired guns at their hapless victims who ran for dear lives,” he said.
Mr Oladejo said APC viewed the attack as a ploy to instil fear in the hearts of would-be voters as we count down to the elections.
“It’s pathetic to note that a candidate seeking to govern the state could be seen actively promoting violence to disrupt the peace of the citizens.
“The PDP and its candidate have been busy in the past few days and have been crying in the media that their posters were being torn. Unknown to the public, he (Adediran) perfected his evil plans, which manifested at his rally,” he said.
The APC spokesman called on the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident, bring the culprits to book and beef up security across the state to forestall a re-occurrence.
