By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
(Sokoto, North West Nigeria) The ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Sokoto state yesterday accused Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and thugs suspected to be working for the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state for allegedly attacking and destroying its presidential candidate’s Sokoto campaign office and properties of other party members located in the state capital on Sunday evening.
But the All Progressives Congress through its chairman , Alhaji Sadeeq Isah Achida denied the alleged attack as claimed by the PDP, saying that APC is unaware of such happening.
He said” it was between the Bafarawa and Aminu factions of the PDP.”
The ruling PDP in the state, however, condemned what it described as the ‘ unwarranted ‘ armed attack on its members by the gangsters and hoodlums of the opposition APC allegedly spare headed by Wamakko.
Addressing a press conference at the Dogon Daji House area on Maiduguri road, Sokoto, the state party chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma who was shocked at the development, said the APC thugs destroyed cars windscreen, glasses and window glasses of the building.
” The said attacks were carried out three different locations in the metropolis which included: Atiku Abubakar campaign headquarters on Kano road, Sokoto cinema residence of Maigwandu and residence of Sarkin Alhazai at Gobirawa area where the unprovoked thugs caused mayhem, destruction of innocent passersby properties with dangerous weapons under the watch of the Senator”, Milgoma said
According to Milgoma” a similar attack was also carried out by the opposition members at the popular ‘Welcome to China’ mobile phone and accessories sales complex at Gobirawa area in the metropolis where ove N500,000 worth of items were stolen.”
In the same vein, the party chairman said windscreens and glasses of 7 vehicles were destroyed at Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu’s residence along Sokoto cinema.
” It happened when the Senator Wamakko paid a condolence visit to the area by foot where the APC thugs attacked the vehicles and destroyed them”, he explained.
However, Milgoma who disclosed that the party had reported the matter to the state police command urged PDP members and supporters in the state to maintain the peace with which they were known for and not take any violent step.
” We shall continue to be law abiding citizens and as a party we will remain peaceful and orderly while we call on the security agencies especially the police to investigate and deal appropriately with the matter by ensuring perpetrators of the dastardly acts are brought to justice.”
Milgoma continued:” The APC and Senator Wamakko should endeavor to endear themselves to the good people of Sokoto State, through humane and civilized manner, rather than resort to desperate tactics that threaten the lives and property of the citizens.”
However, Achida who in reaction to the claims by the PDP while addressing reporters at the Diplomat Area state Secretariat office of the party said it was an all PDP attack, ” it was between the new and old PDP factions. They seized the opportunity of Wamakko’s presence in the area to cause problem inorder to tarnish his political and personal image as well his long standing reputation in the eyes of the good people of Sokoto state”, he explained.
When contacted on the incident, the Sokoto state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Cordelia Nwawe said the command was looking into the matter while investigations were ongoing.
” All these are allegations and the CP is on top of the matter to ensure the right thing is done as appropriate. The command is resolute at ensuring peaceful political process and activities in the state”‘ She said.
According to Nwawe who recalled that the command had reiterated its unflinching commitment to ensuring a level play ground for all parties and political activities while warning political parties and politicians to practically play the game by the rules and within the ambit of the law, added ” We had an enlarged stakeholders meeting with the various political parties recently and had their commitment to peaceful and lawful political activities before, during and after elections which we expect nothing less.”
