The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara state has said following attack on the party during its congress, it has resolved to employ all available constitutional means to seek redress for the damages inflicted on the party.
The party also said no amount of distraction will deter it from bringing positive change come 2023 in the State.
“We have resolved to employ all available constitutional means to seek redress for the damages inflicted on the party”.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday evening in Gusau, the State publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Abba Bello condemned the recent attack by political thugs during the State Congress of the party.
“I wish to address the gentlemen of the press on a sad incident of lawlessness that was recorded on Monday 27th December, 2021, where a group of unknown youths suspected to be sponsored political thugs, numbering about 300, stormed the venue of PDP Congress and Vandalized properties worth millions of naira”.
He lamented that the dastardly act was condemnable by all standards and unacceptable in a civilized society where the freedom of speech and association are sacrosanct and guaranteed by constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The unfolding political bitterness in Zamfara State, if left unchecked by the relevant authorities, particularly Security Agencies, could snowball into a bigger security threat that will worsen our fragile peace, and be costly in terms of human lives and properties.
“We, in the PDP, are law-abiding citizens, as we duly notified the relevant Security Agencies of our planned state congress.
“However, a few hours to the commencement of the event, a group of suspected political thugs, in their numbers, arrived at the venue wielding dangerous weapons and set the place ablaze.
“This was in addition to vandalizing some vehicles parked at the premises of the venue. Thank God that no life was lost” he said.
He stressed that lack of timely intervention by the relevant Security Agencies to forestall this gruesome act, that lasted for almost three hours, coupled with the Security Agencies’ inability to arrest and bring the suspects to book, has compelled PDP to conclude that the arsonists and their sponsors are state actors.
“The people of Zamfara State are aware of the heavy presence of the operatives of various Security Agencies in Gusau town, monitoring the prevailing security situation, yet none of the perpetrators was arrested.
“Better still, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has recently concluded similar Congresses at the Wards, Local Government and State levels, without recording any security breach”.
Abba alleged that the suspected State actors could condescend so low as to sponsor thuggery, arson and vandalism as a means of clinching cheap political popularity against the PDP.
“Let me emphatically assure the sponsors of the Monday arson that the PDP supporters, as well as the good people of Zamfara State, will continue to remain focused and committed to winning election at all levels come 2023 for our collective good”.
He further stressed that no amount of distraction will deter PDP from bringing about a positive change in Zamfara and the country at large in this direction.
“The Security Agents are highly anticipated to remain neutral and unbiased in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities” Bello added.
