Kwara APC Demands Probe Into Ilorin Shooting

Abdulfatah-AhmedThe Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has asked the state police command to immediately commence investigation into the weekend sporadic shootings in Ilorin, the capital.

It said the incident, allegedly perpetrated by the political thugs in the entourage and convoy of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Simeon Ajibola, subjected residents of the city to humiliation and fear.

Some supporters of Mr. Ajibola, a serving senator, had reportedly engaged in sporadic shootings and brandishing of guns and rifles thereby causing stampede on Sunday.

In a statement Monday by its spokesperson in the state, Sulyman Buhari, the APC described the incident, which occurred along Niger Street, as not only unfortunate but a threat to public peace.‎

It asked the police to probe the incident and make it public before March 28 presidential election.

“It is necessary to note that the breach of peace being enjoyed by people of Kwara state by the thugs of the PDP gubernatorial candidate was unwarranted and uncalled for,” the statement said. “According to residents of Niger area of Ilorin, the incident will remain a trembling experience in their lifetime.‎‎

“It is quite important to mention that the convoy of Senator Ajibola followed the convoy of a PDP Chieftain, Mr Dele Belgore whose supporters also engaged in the shooting spree.” ‎

The APC asked Kwarans to note that the peace agreement, tagged “Ilorin Accord”, which was signed at INEC headquarters in I‎lorin by ‎15 political parties and their governorship candidates, including Mr. Ajibola had been finally betrayed and broken by the PDP candidate and his party.

It said there was a clear indication that Mr. Ajibola was a sponsor of violence and thuggery in the state.

The party alleged that the PDP governorship candidate started his campaign on a violent note and that the opposition party in the state had never hidden its penchant for violence.

It also noted that the recent formation of “war council” by the PDP showed the readiness of the party to pursue and coordinate violence before, during and after the 2015 general elections.

The APC said, “We have these questions and many more for Senator Ajibola: ‎Why did Senator Ajibola subject the people he seeks to govern to that nature of trembling experience?

“Senator Ajibola should tell Kwarans why his thugs without provocation engaged in sporadic shootings which arrested the peace of the entire stretch of Niger area ‎on Sunday? Senator Ajibola should come out clean on how he procured guns and rifles for his thugs?

“Senator Ajibola should tell Kwarans why he had to procure guns for his supporters? Were the guns lawfully procured? Is that his own way of empowering them? What if a stray bullet had knocked one of the residents down? What would have been Senator Ajibola’s response?”