REACTIONS have continued to trail the clash between the campaign team of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Yakubu Muritala Ajaka and the convoy of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Ajaka, a former national officer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had dumped the ruling party and secured the governorship ticket of the SDP following his inability to get the APC ticket, which was clinched by Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The SDP’s candidate, an Igala from the Kogi East Senatorial District, is perceived to be one of the popular contenders in the November election.
He is also seen as the main challenger to Ododo, who is believed to be Governor Bello’s anointed candidate.
Yesterday’s incident, it was learnt, happened around the Navy Quarters, near Lokoja, when Governor Bello was returning from Abuja.
Bello and Ajaka traded blame over the incident, accusing each other of being responsible for the attack.
While Bello alleged that his convoy was attacked by the SDP’s team; Ajaka claimed that it was an assassination attempt on his life by Bello and his men.
The State Government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, alleged that the governor’s convoy was blocked and attacked by people believed to be supporters of Ajaka.
“The attack took place near the Naval Base, a few kilometres from Lokoja where the convoy of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, having sighted that of the governor, blocked the road and some of his armed thugs started shooting sporadically at the convoy of the governor.
“The governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic as the Governor is in high spirit”, Fanwo said.
The state government alleged further that “some security aides and other aides attached to the governor sustained injuries and had been rushed to medical facilities for medical attention”.
Fanwo said while the state government promised to ensure that law and order is maintained, the “governor warned that no APC member should be involved in any reprisal as insecurity from any quarter will be met with stiff penalties”.
Bello, while speaking on the incident at the Government House, vowed that his administration would deal with anyone or group of persons threatening the peace and progress of the state.
He said there was no hiding place for any political thug, miscreant or whoever is hiding under politics to perpetrate evil in the state.
“In the game of politics, I don’t take anything for granted. In this particular game , I will leave no stone unturned. We are sure of an overwhelming clean victory in the coming governorship election.
“On lion’s day, an antelope blocked my way. Let this be the first and last. We are looking forward to the law enforcement agents to take action.
Meanwhile, Ajaka, in a statement by his campaign’s spokesman, Faruk Adejoh, alleged that gun-wielding men in the governor’s convoy attacked him.
The statement read: “Ajaka and some vehicles accompanying him were approaching Lokoja at the vicinity of the Ram Market at about 300pm when two power bikes and a Toyota Hilux overtook his car and forced it to a stop.
“The men jumped down and began shooting at Ajaka’s car and all other cars in the motorcade. They shot for over 5 minutes at Ajaka’s bullet proof car unprovoked.
“All this while Bello’s car was parked a few meters in front and was used to barricade the road while the gun men had a field day.”
“When they ceased, Ajaka’s car, a Lexus SUV though a bulletproof (car); was totally damaged and demobilised.”
Our correspondent learnt that Ajaka aborted his courtesy visit to paramount rulers in the state and returned to Abuja because of the incident.
One of his closest aides, Muhammad, told Daily Trust on Sunday that an SDP chieftain identified as Muri, “escaped by grace of God”, saying, “his bulletproof vehicle prevented the bullets from reaching him as he was shot at close range in the confusion that ensued on the highway”.
The Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Aya, did not respond to a text message and call to his mobile for comment.
