Few days after a High Court ordered the Independent National Election Commission(INEC) to include Natasha Akpoti of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot, suspected political thugs during the early hours of Monday, burnt the Lokoja, Kogi State secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) secretariat.
The SDP secretariat is located adjacent to Lokoja local government secretariat, around the Paparanda Square.
The SDP secretariat was earlier attacked on Sunday, as yet unknown persons destroyed its windows and doors, while banners, posters and other campaign materials were also vandalized.Not satisfied with the level of destruction,the thugs returned early today to burn the office.
The party earlier alleged of plans to attack the convoy of the SDP governorship candidate, Barr. Natasha Akpoti, adding that the unfolding events confirmed its outcry, ahead of Saturday’s poll.
The Kogi SDP secretariat which was reportedly vandalized days earlier, shares boundary with the old All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, along the Murtala Mohammed Way.
The SDP state chairman, Mouktar Atima, who confirmed the attacks, accused the ruling party of orchestrating them.
He alleged the APC of “releasing their boys to unleash terror on our party. He said that the development was a confirmation of several threats received recently by the party’s candidate, Natasha Akpoti.
He said no amount of harassment and destruction will deter the party and its governorship candidate from contesting and winning the Saturday election, saying that they remain undaunted.
He appealed to party loyalists not to be discouraged over the development.
In his reaction, however, the Director General of the Bello/Onoja campaign organisation, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo denied the allegation that those behind the arson were sponsored by the party.
He said that the party and its candidate are busy campaigning around the state and “has no time for irrelevant issues.”
When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Busari said that the command was aware of the incident, adding that investigation has commenced