Supporters of Zamfara State Chapters of All Progressives Congress, (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed on Saturday resulting to the death of one person, while 18 sustained various degree of injuries.
The state Deputy Governor Senator Hassan Mohammed Nasiha while confirming the incident to newsmen shortly after he visited those injured at the Yariman Bakura Specialist hospital in Gusau, on Sunday said APC lost one of it supporter.
“One of our party supporter was killed and 18 others sustained various degree of injuries occasioned by the attack.
“I am in the hospital to see those that were attacked, government will not condole such act in the state “.
He however assured that government would investigate and bring to book whoever was involved no matter his personality in the state.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday at the state Headquarters of APC, the publicity Secretary of the party, Yusuf Idris Gusau said PDP supporters were responsible for the attack.
“You are all well aware of the terrible happenings in our dear state where some of our innocent youths were attacked by PDP thugs yesterday, while they were celebrating the arrival of their governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare.
“You are also aware and witnesses to the order by the state government His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the state, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle banning all political party gatherings in the state due to the security situation which must be the concern of all.
“As a party in power in the state, we feel highly disturbed by the dastardly act of the PDP thugs who used the coming of their candidate to destabilize the peaceful environment we were enjoying before the event.
“Dr. Dauda Lawal who we know has no military attaché to his convoy, came in with people wearing military camouflage and raising suspicion that they may be suspected bandits and to confirm our suspicion, the gang later shot at innocent citizens, where we received reports that some of them lost their lives while 20 others received various degrees of gunshot injuries at the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau” he said.
Similarly, the Zamfara State Deputy chairman of PDP Muktar Muhammad Lugga while addressing the press said PDP members are law abiding citizens and had signed peace agreement, saying they would never indulge in such act.
He described the attack as the height of lawlessness, brigandage and provocation capable of escalating the tension in the state.
“We are in a critical time. Unfortunately, we found ourselves in this mess. We thought thuggery and hooliganism had become a thing of the past in the state, but it has been resurrected by the APC and the state government.”
He said, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has been known to be law-abiding and that it strictly works and abides by the law of the State which was why the party waited for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s, announced date for the commencement of the governorship campaign before organizing any politically related activity in the State.
According to Lugga, PDP fixed Saturday, October 15th as a day to receive thousands of the All Progressives Congress APC, members who decamped to the PDP as well as to inaugurate the 2023 governorship Campaign Council.
He disclosed that APC are reportedly jittery, because they have failed the electorate, “PDP are getting supporters day in day out in the state.
Lugga said PDP is also planning an occasion to receive 30,000 defectors from the 14 local government areas of the State who dumped the ruling APC to join forces with its Governorship candidate to unseat incumbent Governor, Bello Mohammed in next year’s general election.
SINL Nigeria Online gathered that the clash occurred on Saturday when PDP Governorship candidate Dr Dauda Lawal Dare was about to receive defecting members from APC in the state.
