Lagos: APC, PDP Trade Words Over Attack on Jandor

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not to cause problems in the state. The ruling party in the state was reacting to the reported attack on Dr Olajide Oladiran, also known as Jandor by hoodlums suspected to be APC thugs.

The PDP candidate train was attacked on Sunday while returning from Badagry after a campaign event in the riverine community. Many people were said to have been injured during the attack.

Hakeem Amode, Lagos PDP chairman said of the attack: “The campaign train of the PDP candidate was attacked today while returning from visitation to members of the party at the Ikoga Junction area of Badagry local government by All Progressives Congress sponsored thugs,” the statement reads.

“The attack led to injury of several members of Jandor’s entourage and pressmen. As of the time of this press statement, one of the news reporters is in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital while those injured are been treated.

“The thugs that attacked the campaign train were shouting APC while shooting guns and using dangerous weapons.”

But reacting to the claim, the APC said the opposition PDP is only trying to cause a crisis in the state by making unfounded allegations against the party.

The party said the PDP candidate is heating up the system in order to achieve his aim of becoming the state governor next year.

The party challenged the PDP candidate to reveal the names of the victims that were injured during the attack.

According to the statement signed by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo,  the ruling party said it does not promote thuggery and violence, noting that it is “repulsive that Jandor could level such grievous allegations”.

Part of the statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to the purported attack on the Lagos state PDP gubernatorial candidate, Jide Adediran, Jandor while on a campaign tour.

“It is important to state that All Progressives Congress , abhors thuggery and any other form of violence in the name of politics.

“However, we find it repulsive that Jandor could level such grievous allegations and conveniently forget to give the names of the victims and the action taken by the battalion of security operatives who always outnumber his entourage.

“This is just another level in the propaganda machinery of the PDP candidate to curry public sympathy through blatant lies and unsubstantiated claims.

“The opposition party before now had more credible and accomplished candidates who flew their flags during elections and ran a good race.

“It is worthy of note that neither were they so desperate nor unnecessarily heat up the polity with needless lies.

One cannot but wonder what led to the descent to the lowest abyss.

“Nigerians know too well that this is the season of endless comedy of the absurd coming from the stable of the professionals.

“They are advised to focus on issues based campaigns that will make life more meaningful for all Lagosians.

“Perhaps he should spend more time to seek the support of the members of his party who have been largely indifferent to his campaign rather than clutch to straws and cry wolves when there’s none.

“However, we understand that it can be overwhelming frustrating and depressing to contest against a highly successful incumbent who has become the yardstick to measure good governance,” the APC said.