THE Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and some people, said to be suspected thugs working for the All Progressives Congress (APC), of attacking its presidential candidate’s campaign office in the state.
The PDP also said suspected APC thugs allegedly attacked the property of other party members in the state capital on Sunday night.
But the APC, through its State Chairman, Alhaji Sadeeq Isah Achida, denied the allegation.
The chairman said the party was not aware of such incident.
He said: “It was between the Attahiru Bafarawa and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal factions of the PDP.”
The ruling PDP in the state condemned what it called the “unwarranted” attack on its members by suspected thugs of the APC.
Addressing reporters at Dogon Daji House on Maiduguri Road in Sokoto, PDP’s State Chairman Ibrahim Milgoma said suspected APC thugs destroyed car windscreens, glasses and window glasses at the party’s campaign office for Atiku.
He said: “The attacks were carried out at three locations, including Atiku Abubakar campaign headquarters on Kano Road, Sokoto Cinema home of Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu and the home of Sarkin Alhazai at Gobirawa, Sokoto.
“Unprovoked thugs caused mayhem, destruction of the property of innocent passers-by with weapons under the watch of the senator.
“A similar attack was also carried out by the opposition members at the popular ‘Welcome to China’ mobile phone and accessories sales complex at Gobirawa area in Sokoto where over items valued at over N500,000 were stolen.”
Also, the party’s chairman said seven vehicles were affected at Maigwandu’s home.
Milgoma said: “It happened when Senator Wamakko paid a condolence visit to the area by foot and APC thugs destroyed the vehicles.”
The chairman, who said the PDP had reported the matter to the police command, urged members and supporters to remain law-abiding.
He said: “We shall continue to be law-abiding citizens. As a party, we will remain peaceful and orderly while we call on security agencies, especially the police, to investigate and deal appropriately with the matter by ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts are brought to justice.
“The APC and Senator Wamakko should endeavour to endear themselves to the good people of Sokoto State through humane and civilised manner rather than resort to desperate tactics that threaten the lives and property of the citizens.”
But Achida, who also addressed reporters at the Diplomat Area state secretariat of the APC, said the attack “was between the new and old PDP factions”.
He added: “They seized the opportunity of Wamakko’s presence in the area to cause problem in order to tarnish his political and personal image as well his long-standing reputation in the eyes of the good people of Sokoto state.”
Police spokesperson Cordelia Nwawe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the command was investigating the matter.
“All these are allegations. The police commissioner is on top of the matter to ensure that the right thing is done. The command is resolute at ensuring peaceful political process and activities in the state,” she said.
Nwawe recalled that the command had reiterated its commitment to ensuring a level-playing field for all parties and political activities.
The spokesperson warned political parties and politicians to play the game by its rules and within the ambit of the law.
She added: “We had an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting with various political parties recently and had their commitment to ensure peaceful and lawful political activities before, during and after the (2019) elections. We expect nothing less.”
