Barely twenty four hours after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Sokoto State raised the alarm over the spate of violence that characterised the just concluded February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections in the state, suspected thugs attacked the party’s campaign office, located at Mairuwa roundabout.
Motorists and passersby had to make detours and scamper to safety in order to escape the rampaging thugs armed with sophisticated weapons.
When LEADERSHIP visited the area, men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), usually stationed at the roundabout were nowhere to be found with their vehicle.
An eyewitness told LEADERSHIP that, “the thugs allegedly of a rival party stormed the PDP campaign office in their large numbers armed with sticks, cutlasses and cudgels.
“Thank God, those within the campaign office quickly took to their heels but, by the time they (thugs) left, none of the PDP board was left standing. The billboard advertising a religious programme was not spared either.
“Satisfied that, their mission is accomplished, they disappeared into the thin air before the arrival of the police.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the police was not successful as calls and sms message put across to the Sokoto police command PPRO, were unanswered.
Recall that Sokoto State PDP chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Bello Goronyo, at a press conference yesterday, said the trend of political thuggery being experienced in the state, is a deviation from political ideologies of the founding fathers of the Caliphate.
According to Alhaji Goronyo, “despite the efforts by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for peace to reign in the state, some elements are bent in disrupting peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in the state.
“Last Saturday, some politicians sponsored armed thugs which led to the cancellation of over 400 polling units with 400,000 voters affected.
“We urge the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous act as we will not fold our hands and allow the enemies of the state to have their ways.”
