‘Thugs’ set SDP office in Kogi on fire — four days to election

Suspected thugs set fire to the secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, on Monday.

The development comes four days to the governorship election in the state.

According to NAN, the building was razed around 1am with furniture, documents, electrical equipment and campaign materials burnt.

The building, which is located a few metres from the state police command headquarters, was reportedly vandalised on Saturday, November 9 by suspected armed thugs.

Akeem Busari, the state commissioner of police, confirmed the fire incident and said the police had launched investigation, with a view to identifying and bringing the perpetrators to book.

In his reaction, Mukhtar Atima, the state chairman of the SDP, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) of being behind the attack.

He said the obvious fear of defeat starring APC in the face made it to “release their boys to unleash terror on our party.”

Some political pundits have said there is a possibility of Natasha Akpoti, SDP candidate in the governorship election, splitting Bello’s vote in parts of Ebirraland, where both of them hail from.

“No amount of harassment and destruction will deter the party and its governorship candidate from contesting and winning the November 16 election,” Atima said.

But Kingsley Fanwo, chairman, media committee, Bello/Onoja Campaign Organisation, denied allegations that the attack was sponsored by the APC.

He said Bello and the leadership of the party were currently engaged in rigorous campaigns, saying “there is no time for irrelevant issues now.”

Photo credit: PUNCH