Date: 2018-12-13

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state has condemned Sunday's violent attack in Offa between political thugs loyal to Arch. Lola Ashiru and Hon. Saheed Popoola, who are both top members of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State .

While Ashiru is the APC Kwara South senatorial candidate, Popoola is a member of the State House of Assembly.

Report has it that thugs loyal to the two APC members engaged in a serious free-for-all fight during a ward meeting in Ojomu Central B ward in Offa local government area of the State. It was gathered that the fracas ensued over who controls the APC machinery in Offa between Ashiru and Popoola.

According to eyewitnesses, passers- by and residents of the area had to scamper for safety, as the thugs in their large numbers brandished dangerous weapons, which scared people away.

The attack reportedly resulted in severe injuries to no fewer than 10 person including APC party members and innocent people. The injured are said to be in critical conditions and currently receiving treatment at private hospitals within Offa.

The Kwara PDP in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tunde Ashaolu, condemned the attack, and called on security agencies in the state to conduct investigation into the matter and arrest the culprits.

The statement noted that this is important to forestall breakdown of law and order as some of the political thugs are reported to be planning to launch another attack, which could affect innocent people of Offa.

"This latest attack further exposes the violent tendencies of the APC in Kwara, which we have always alerted security agencies and the general public to.

"As a peace-loving party, we frown at any action capable of causing civil unrest in any part of the State. This is why we are concerned about the recent waves of violent attacks being perpetrated by APC thugs. We, therefore, call on politicians in the APC.