- It’s attack on democracy
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday condemned the alleged invasion that nearly disrupted the submission of his presidential nomination forms at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.
There was pandemonium at PDP secretariat yesterday when thugs invaded the premises but were subsequently dispersed by the police.
Atiku arrived the premises of Wadata Plaza at about 12:23pm with hundreds of his supporters who were too many to be allowed entry into the main building.
But the crowd overpowered the security personnel at the gate and gained entry, chanting songs in favour of Atiku who was at the secretariat to submit his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the 2019 presidency.
Some of the ex-VP’s supporters who came in different campaign vehicles branded with the PDP logo and colours as well as Atiku’s photographs were outside the secretariat when the crisis started.
But shortly after Atiku gained entry into the main building to submit his forms, there was stampede outside as rival thugs clashed using sticks and clubs.
Police operatives thereafter intervened by shooting in the air and using tear-gas canisters to disperse the rioting youths.
Witnesses said the violence started when some of the PDP supporters saw some youths with APC flags around the PDP secretariat.
“We were here trying to buy food. All of a sudden, we saw some youths carrying the APC flag and chanting songs promoting the ruling party. Then the PDP youths rushed towards them aggressively, beating one of the boys to pulp,” one of the witnesses said.
But another source who spoke to our correspondent, said the boy in question was a pick-pocket.
A statement by Atiku’s Media Office described the act as “undemocratic.”
According to the statement, “It is uncalled for and undemocratic for any group of individuals to turn an otherwise happy political event into a fracas that threatens the lives and well-being of party supporters who were at the event by choice to support their candidate and party.
“The Waziri Adamawa calls on supporters of all political hues to show maturity and allow the democratic process to proceed unhindered in the interest of the parties and aspirants as well as the nation. He urges his supporters to show restraint even in the face of provocation.
“Atiku praised the Police and other security personnel for containing the situation and protecting innocent and law abiding supporters at the venue,” the statement read.
The PDP on its part accused the ruling APC of detailing thugs to cause havoc at its national secretariat in Abuja.
The PDP in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan also warned the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and other leaders of the party to steer clear of its secretariat.
“The whole world witnessed with dismay how APC thugs, brandishing their party’s famished brooms and charms, armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons stormed our national secretariat which has become a beehive of activities and attacked and wounded our members and supporters before they were dispelled by security operatives,” the statement said.
When contacted, the spokesman of the FCT Police Command, DSP Anjuguri Manzah denied the reports of gunshots fired at the PDP secretariat. “There was no shooting,” he said, refusing to comment further.
