USMAN ALIYU
The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka escaped assassination few meters away from lokoja yesterday
Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka’s car and his entourage on approaching Lokoja at the vicinity of the ram market at about 3:00pm two power bikes and Toyota Hilux overtook his car and forced it to a stop.
In a statement signed by Mr Faruk Adejoh-Audu, Director of Public Communications to Muritala Ajaka Organisation, said, the assault was heralded by a Mercrdes Benz Limousine with governor Yahaya Bello’s official crest accompanied by an open pick- loaded with masked and hooded men bearing AK 47 Assault Rifles.
Mr Faruk further emphasize that the men jumped down and began shooting sporadically at Ajaka’s car.
They shot for over 5 minutes at Ajaka’s bullet proof car unprovoked.
The media director also said while the ugly situation where going on, governor Yahaya Bello’s car was parked a few meters in front and was used to barricade the road.
When they ceased, Ajaka’s car, a Lexus SUV though a bullet proof was totally damaged and demobilised.
Among the gunmen identified is one Friday Makama a notorious thug and a former kogi State member House of Assembly who was recently appointed Director General for Fireams Recovery by governor Yahaya Bello.
Also identified among the hoodlums was one Bashir Gegu the Commissioner for Solid Minerals who has a gross reputation for thuggery.
Mr Ajaka who was on his way to keep an appointment with the Mai Geri, The first class traditional ruler of Lokoja and The Attah Igala in Idah decided to abort the journey and return to Abuja after conferring with the Commander of the Lokoja Naval Base.
This again is another low scored by Mr Yahaya Bello in the exercise of crude power and brute force.
Bello is on record to have unleashed guns and gunmen on several citizens in the course of his eight years draconian rule. Several persons have been killed by his hoodlums during electioneering while others are missing .
Ajaka until recently was a member of the APC who was forced out of the governorship nomination by Mr Yahaya Bello who used minions and proxies to obtain an injunction from a Lokoja High Court restraining him from participating in the primaries.
The brute action yesterday is obviously in a continuation of Bello’s desperation to stop Yakubu from continuing in the election.
We appeal to the new President of the Federal Republic, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate that his administration will not permit the brigandage of the last eight years which has led to the deaths of thousands in Nigeria.
Election is still five months away, but if Mr Bello does not get a strong signal that violence would not be allowed in the new administration several of our citizens will be killed by his thugs and gunmen before the polls.
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