PDP secretariat razed by arsonists in Nasarawa

A gang of arsonists in the early hours of Sunday burned down the secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Obi, headquarters of Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The incident happened barley a day after the PDP received over 3, 000 members of the APC who decamped during the PDP governorship campaign rally in Obi.

Both parties, among others had signed a peace accord before security agencies a day before, promising they will not set their supporters against each other.

Witnesses in Obi narrated that the arsonists stormed the secretariat in large numbers and chased away the security guard on duty before setting fire on the building housing the local government party secretariat.

“They came very early; before daybreak and drove the guard away. They came with jerry cans of fuel. They climbed right on top on the building and poured fuel, and then set the fire,” a witness said, adding “we neighbours came out, but we had to stand far to watch because the boys were threatening to deal with us if we as much as say a word.”

He said the identity of the arsonist could not be ascertained, as their motive.

But state PDP spokesman, Yohanna Mark Neto told Daily Trust that the party suspected that the burning down of its secretariat may not be unconnected with the governorship campaign rally of Friday in the area, where the party received over 3,000 defectors from the APC.

But the state APC chairman, Philip Shekwo denied the involvement of the APC, saying “we are aware the PDP have internal problem; that may have set them against each other.” He said the APC is not a violent party, and has never attacked the PDP, urging the PDP “to look inward and find out where the arsonists came from.”

State police command spokesman, ASP Umaru Ismaila confirmed the incident as well as the Friday violence after the party’s governorship campaign train left the area. He said: “there was destruction of campaign billboards both on Friday, after the PDP campaign team left Obi,” adding that “today; we received report of the burning down of the PDP secretariat there.”