Date: 2012-06-30

The Kwara State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday said suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs attacked its  chieftains in Oloje area of Ilorin West Constituency.

It called on the security agencies to protect the people against the PDP aggression.

Rafiu Ajakaye, media aide to Kwara ACN leader Mohammed Dele Belgore SAN, said in a statement issued in Ilorin that some ACN chieftains and supporters were allegedly attacked as they gathered to receive Belgore who was billed to address a campaign rally for Abdul Aiyelabegan Goga, the ACN candidate for the Ilorin West rerun.

The statement reads: "We condemn the PDP thugs' attacks on the chieftains and members of our party at Oloje in Ilorin West where Kwara ACN leader Belgore was scheduled to address a crowd of supporters on Thursday afternoon ahead of a rerun election for the Ilorin West seat in the House of Assembly.

"As our members and independent voters were gathering to receive their leader, weapon-wielding PDP thugs began to throw bottles and other harmful objects at the ACN supporters and eventually cordoned off the campaign ground. Our supporters were attacked with machetes while the crowd, including the ACN's candidate in the election, Abdul Aiyelabegan, fled.

"The attack was unprovoked. It is cowardly and exposes the PDP for who they are. We see the attack as an attempt to cow the opposition and ensure nobody turns out for the election. Is this the idea of what democracy means to PDP and their leader who reportedly told his people that the only means of winning the election slated for Saturday is to make an example of ACN supporters? 

"We call on the security agencies to stop this drift to anarchy because if they fail in their duties to protect the people, ACN may not be able to control the anger of its supporters who may be forced to defend themselves against this aggression and tyranny.

"We urge the voters not to be intimidated because the idea behind this violence is to cow and deny them the opportunity of exercising their democratic right."

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