The All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged attack on the Secretary of the Election Tribunal in Kogi State, Nigeria. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the call at a press conference on Thursday, accusing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of being involved in the incident.

The APC expressed concern over the security situation in Kogi State, where violence has marred the recent governorship and senatorial elections. The party condemned the opposition parties, especially the SDP and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for spreading falsehoods and inciting unrest instead of accepting their defeat at the polls.

The APC also criticized the candidates of the SDP and the PDP, Murtala Ajaka and Dino Melaye, for their inconsistent and irrational behavior. The party said Ajaka initially refused to challenge the election outcome on national television but later changed his mind and filed a petition before the tribunal. The party said Melaye did not have confidence in the judiciary or himself, as he did not vote for himself in the election and called for a boycott of future elections.

The APC said it participated in the Kogi election based on its progressive manifesto and the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration. The party said it won the hearts and minds of the Kogi electorate, who gave it a landslide victory in the governorship and senatorial elections.

The APC denounced the attacks on the Election Tribunal Secretary and the residence of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Hale Longpet, as barbaric and undemocratic. The party urged the police to conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation and bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.

The APC reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and the democratic process and called for an end to the sponsored violence in Kogi State. The party appealed to the people of Kogi State to live in peace and harmony and to support the efforts of the government to deliver good governance and development.

Source: Business Day