The All Progressives Congress in Benue State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for armed militia men sponsoring armed militia men to attacked their supporters at during their rally at Gbamjiba, headquarters of Guma local government to disrupt their campaigns and caused mayhem.
The Secretary of Emmanuel Jime governorship campaign team, Professor Eugene Aliegba who addressed Journalists in Makurdi also alleged that several people were injured, while five others are missing in the
Professor Aliegba also alleged that the injured ones who were brought to Benue state University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi were returned unattended to by the hospital management.
According to him, the armed militia who were in large numbers overwhelmed the security operatives who were deployed to the area.
But in a swift reaction, the State Publicity Secretary, of the PDP, Bemgba Iortyom, who also accused the APC of masterminding the violence said it views with grave concern the latest spate of violence unleashed on the party’s supporters by thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Gbajimba and Daudu in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
According to Bemgba an Eyewitnesses report that the thugs who were led by Terhide Utaan, APC’s candidate in the coming elections, violently assaulted PDP supporters and also burnt down campaign materials, mostly billboards promoting the incumbent governor, Samuel Ortom in the area.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms such lawlessness by APC in the state as it falls short of the acceptable standards for the thriving of multi-party democracy anywhere”
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The PDP spokesman described the acts by APC as a deliberate provocation that reflect their growing desperation as the reality of their impending loss at the 2019 elections in the state dawns on them.
The PDP equally called on the good people of Benue State to be vigilant and resist the antics of APC in the state which are targeted at subverting their right to free and fair elections.
Professor Aliegba further said “the chairman of APC in Guma had earlier informed them on Thursday night that he was directed not to hold rally in Gbamjiba, which is the country home of the sitting governor and we also informed the security agencies in the state of the development, but the truth of the matter is the the militia overwhelmed the securities that were there”
“The militants came in there numbers, initially hauled stones and the police dispersed them with fire canister , but when they discovered that the supporters were not moved, they went back mobilized and came with AK 47 guns and shot live ammunitions,” Aliegba explained.
Also speaking, member of house of Representatives, representing Makurdi/Guma, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir alleged that he got information on Thursday that armed militias were mobilised from Makurdi with the amount of N4.5million to disrupt the rally.
He alleged that five of his supporters were missing at the time of addressing Journalists.
Governor Samuel Ortom in a reaction categorically denied the accusations by the APC, saying he did not instruct or direct any person to disrupt or stop any campaign rally.
The governor condemned the destruction of his campaign materials in Gbajimba and Daudu in Guma as well as several other places including Wannune in Tarka and Lessel in Ushongo local government areas and called on the police and other security agents to arrest and prosecute those found culpable.
