The Kogi State Government has countered the accusation by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that its witnesses in the ongoing election petition tribunal were attacked by agents of the state government.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Friday raised the alarm over alledged massive clamp down on its members who appeared as witnesses before the on going Kogi State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal holding at National Judiciary Institute, Abuja.
The National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam who addressed newsmen in Abuja over the incident, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the heads of the nation’s security Forces to wade into the urgly development In the interest oof the country.
But the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, during a press conference on Saturday in Lokoja, the state capital, said there was no evidence to support SDPs’ claim that their witnesses were attacked at the tribunal.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a headless allegation by the Social Democratic Party to the effect that the state government allegedly attacked their witnesses in the ongoing tribunal.
“The allegation drifted into the abyss further by claiming that supporters of the thoroughly defeated candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the election, one Muritala Ajaka, were attacked.
“We wouldn’t have bothered to respond to the barking of the SDP and its leadership as the state government is busy with governance; but it is important to set the record straight and address the minds of the public to the tradition of lies by the SDP.”
The commissioner said the state government, under the leadership of Ahmed Ododo, will be undaunted in its resolve to serve the people of the state rather than be entangled in the propaganda by the SDP.
“The Kogi State Government is unwavering in its stance on security and constitutionalism as the basic minimum in ensuring a peaceful and secured state.
“It is important to enlighten the SDP about the fact that the case at the tribunal is between parties of which the state government isn’t one. It is the responsibility of the government to protect all citizens irrespective of their political or religious persuasions”, Fanwo said.