By Boluwaji Obahopo

LOKOJA — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi State yesterday accused the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu, of inciting hatred and violence during his campaigns.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Bode Ogunmola, while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, alleged that Audu had been going about inciting his supporters to “kill” members of the PDP that he (Audu) branded as thugs.

The party expressed worry that the peaceful atmosphere existing in the state is once again being threatened due to the assignment given to the supporters of the APC by its governorship candidate.

“We in the PDP are excited that this season offers us a rare privilege to give account of the tenure of our governor of the state, Capt Idris Wada and to showcase his superlative achievements in the year under review despite the daunting challenges of perilously reduced resources.

“It also offers us an opportunity to unfold our programmes for the people of Kogi for the next tenure, which we have resolved to do responsibly and within the confines of law regulating electioneering campaigns in our country.

“We are however jolted that one of our challengers, the APC has adopted incitement, hatred and violence as a fulcrum of their campaign. It is more disturbing that this gospel of hatred and violence is being propelled by no other person than the candidate of the party, Prince Abubakar Audu.

“In the two rallies held by the party so far, Audu mounted the rostrum to charge APC supporters to kill those he branded as PDP thugs. The first was at the Demonstration Primary School rally ground in Kabba on Saturday, October 3, while the most recent one was on Saturday at Okene. We are really horrified that a septuagenarian and two-time governor of the state could charge youths he desperately want to rule to engage in killing citizens he intends to govern.

“This open incitement to violence has exposed Abubakar Audu for who and what he is and has provided an answer to the several unsolved murders of PDP supporters in Kogi State, who are mauled down in cold blood during electioneering campaigns involving Audu in several parties he has traversed”.

Reacting to the allegations, Audu said the allegations were only meant to tarnish his image, “The allegations were tissues of lies fabricated by the PDP to paint me black before the electorate that had decided to vote en masse for me.”

He said as a statesman he could not have incited his supporters to be killing the people he is aspiring to rule.