…Bello Describes Shooting At PDP Primaries As Sad, Unfortunate
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries held in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital on Tuesday ended with sporadic shooting by unknown gunmen injuring many in the process.
During the primary, over 2,500 delegates from across the 21 local government areas participated in the exercise to elect the flag bearer of the party for the November 16 governorship election.
The accreditation of the delegates was followed by five minutes each address of the delegates before the commencement of voting.
The race was closely contested by former governor, Capt Idris Wada, his younger brother, Musa Wada, son of former Governor Ibrahim Idris, Abubakar Idris and Senator Dino Melaye.
Others who were also in contention include Aminu Abubakar Suleiman, Joe Erico Ameh and Victor Adoji. Four other aspirants earlier cleared for the primaries reportedly stepped down from the race, Monday night.
However, after the voting and sorting out of the voting commenced, some unknown people heavily armed stormed the stadium and started shooting sporadically.
Our Correspondent reports that the shooting started from outside the stadium but later gain entrance into the main bowl stadium firing several gun shots into the air.
All the delegates, aspirants, journalists and even some security men had to run for their lives as they could not curtail the situation.
Meanwhile, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has described the shooting incidence which took place early hours of Wednesday during the opposition PDP primaries in Lokoja as sad and unfortunate.
The Governor in a press release made available to journalists in Lokoja and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu also expressed worry over the development.
Bello observed that such dastardly acts were an affront to the security of lives and property which forms the major achievement of his administration.
The Governor condemned the inability of the opposition PDP for failing to keep the law, especially as the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) which is the Governor’s party had demonstrated less than a week ago that such events can hold without unwelcome incidents of any kind.
He promised to update the public as soon as he has been fully briefed by the law enforcement agencies.
Commiserating with the injured delegates and the families of an alleged sole dead victim, Governor Bello assured the people of Kogi State that this is one incident which will not be swept under the carpet no matter the status of those involved.
In spite of the ugly incident, the Governor repeated his commitment to institutionalise lasting peace in all parts of Kogi State and insisted that same remained non-negotiable.
