TheCable

Hoodlums have attacked and vandalised the secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Lokoja, Kogi state capital.

The party’s secretariat was reportedly attacked at about 10:15 am on Sunday, with some items set ablaze by the hoodlums.

Sam Abenemi, the SDP deputy governorship candidate in Kogi, who confirmed the incident, described the act as “wicked, shocking and uncalled for”.

Abenemi said he was shocked and worried about how the campaign for the November 11 election in the state is unfolding.

“All what campaign is, in my understanding, is canvassing for votes, but the dimensions the race is taking to, is scaring and very unfortunate,” he said.

“Just this morning, around 10:15 am, some hoodlums, whom we suspected were sponsored, stormed our party office in Lokoja, vandalised it and set some materials ablaze.

“This act is very wicked, shocking and uncalled for. This is not how politics is played in a democratic country like ours.

“This evil and wicked act is aimed at scaring us from taking part in the governorship election, but we won’t be deterred.”

He appealed to security agents to investigate the act and ensure the perpetrators were brought to book.

He urged the people of Kogi to participate fully in the forthcoming election “to decide who they want to govern, and not for anyone to force an unpopular person on them”.

Williams Ovye-Aya, a Kogi police spokesperson, who also confirmed the incident, said no arrest has been made.

“We got the report about the vandalism of the campaign secretariat of SDP and we are investigating the incident to bring the hoodlums to book,” he said.

“As it is now, there’s no arrest.”