Kaduna: PDP Members Escape Death In Hands Of Violent, Armed Thugs

By Gideon Njoku

But for the grace of God, Nigeria would have witnessed a blood bath in Kaduna on Monday, 17th October, 2022.

The incident occurred when dozens of political thugs, armed to the teeth, stormed and attacked the Presidential Campaign Rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kaduna City.

The Rally was midway gone when the thugs stormed the venue with all kinds of dangerous weapons.

In a swift reaction, same day, the PDP put the blame on the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the Party condemned in strong terms what it tagged the unprovoked attack on its Presidential Rally in Kaduna.

Said the Party: “The unprovoked attack is not only reprehensible, but also exposes the desperation of the APC which is overwhelmed by the continuing popularity of the PDP and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar for which they have now resorted to violence.”

It said the APC had one thing in mind for the attack: bloodshed.

“The aim of the APC for this attack is to frustrate the PDP Presidential Rally, trigger tension, violence and cause bloodletting in Kaduna State”, the Party noted.

Following is the full text of the PDP statement.

PDP Condemns APC’s Attack on Its Kaduna Presidential Campaign Rally; Insists It is Undeterred

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in the strongest terms possible the violent attack on its Presidential Campaign Rally in Kaduna, Kaduna State capital today, Monday, October 17, 2022 by heavily armed hoodlums sponsored by the liquidating All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This unprovoked attack is not only reprehensible but also exposes the desperation of the APC which is overwhelmed by the continuing popularity of the PDP and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar for which they have now resorted to violence.

“The aim of the APC for this attack is to frustrate the PDP Presidential Rally, trigger tension, violence and cause bloodletting in Kaduna State. This is contrary to the undertaking in the Peace Accord signed by political parties on September 28, 2022 in which the Presidential Candidate of the APC was conspicuously absent.

“The attack today by the APC must give well-meaning Nigerians concern as some report allege that the vicious assault on the PDP Presidential Campaign was spearheaded by the APC governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

“The frustrated APC having realized that it cannot legally and legitimately sponsor candidates for the 2023 general elections has now resorted to violence and attacking our party members and innocent citizens with the aim of derailing the entire democratic process.

“The APC is intimidated by Atiku Abubakar’s popularity and acceptance among majority of Nigerians following their confidence in Atiku Abubakar’s practical experience, record, capacity, broad-mindedness, Pan-Nigerianism and willpower to unite our nation, revamp our devastated economy and guarantee security of lives and property in our country.

“In any case, our Party is undeterred by such cowardly attack as Nigerians are already connected with our issue-based campaign and Atiku Abubakar’s message of hope which is already resonating throughout the nooks and crannies of our country.

“The PDP salutes the courage displayed by the people of Kaduna State in coming out enmasse to resist and overwhelm the APC and its agents, ensure the success of the PDP Rally, reinforce their support for Atiku Abubakar and re-emphasize the fact that Kaduna State is home to PDP, which gave Atiku Abubakar the highest votes in the 2019 Presidential election.

“These desperate elements should be reminded that from history, the people of Kaduna State have never been cowed or subjugated and cannot now especially in their present resolve to vote in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria.

“The PDP acknowledges the massive inflow of new members into our Party, especially from the fizzling APC in Kaduna State and throughout the country because of APC’s failures in governance.

“Kaduna State is a Melting Pot State and such inflow into the PDP denotes the confidence and trust Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political affiliation, repose in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of the country.

“It should be recalled that the PDP, on Sunday, October 16, 2022 alerted on the plot to disrupt our scheduled Presidential Campaign in Kaduna State today. Our Party therefore charges security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this attack are brought to book.

“The PDP calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to call his partymen to order and ensure adequate security for a free, fair and credible electoral process in our country.”

The Campaigns started on 28th September, 2022. The Presidential election will take place in February 2023. Not a few Nigerians are afraid the 2023 General Elections could be marred by violence.