THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the Peoples Democratic party {PDP} of employing violence to frustrate its petitions at election tribunals across the country.
The party in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Mr Lai Mohammed also alerted security agencies and Nigerians on the alleged plan to frustrate its petitions at tribunals citing the example of Jigawa state where the ACN chairman in the state, Dr. Abubakar Fulata, and over 50 party members were attacked by thugs after the day's sitting of the state election petition tribunal.
According to the party, ''These thugs, who were armed to the teeth with various weapons, were led by the PDP chairman in the state, Ahmed Isa Duniya Bahutu; Chief of Staff to Governor Aminu Ibrahim Ringim as well as Muhammadu Daguro.
''They physically attacked and manhandled our Jigawa state chairman, even as well-armed policemen looked on without making any arrest. Even one Garba Liman, the PDP chairman from Birnin Kudu local government, who was arrested by the SSS, was quickly released on the orders of the state government. The attacks did not spare other members of the ACN, most of whom sustained serious injuries, including one with a broken arm,''.
The party said the main purpose of such attacks is to intimidate the ACaN and force the party to abandon its petitions, when party members realise their lives are in danger every time they appear at the tribunal.
''As every one knows, ACN is not a violent party. We believe in using constitutional means to protest any hijacking of our mandate, instead of engaging in street battles. But when this channel is closed by a virulent and anarchic party hell bent on using foul means to keep an illegal mandate, the outcome can only be chaos and anarchy.
''This is why we are crying out now, so that all those concerned can act urgently to stem the tide of unpleasant scenarios resulting from the impunity of the PDP acting, as always, with the collusion of an ever-pliable police and other security agencies,'' the party said.
Source: The Guardian.