As the electoral violence in Kogi state continue to rise with the approach of the November 16 governorship elections in State, the governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Natasha Akpoti has accused Governor Yahaya Bello of sending thugs to burn her house in Lokoja.
Akpoti laid the accusation on Monday, stating Governor Bello sent his thugs to her house while she was away campaigning in Idah.
She wrote on Twitter:
“HELP!!
Yahaya Bello Gov d @OfficialAPCNg Candidate has sent his thugs to burn down my house in Lokoja, while I’m now campaigning in Idah, Kogi”, she stated on Twitter.
Earlier, Akpoti accused Yahaya Bello who is the incumbent Governor as well as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sending sending thug to burn down the SDP secretariat on Sunday ahead of her campaign.
She said this in an open letter shared on her Facebook page after the destruction of properties and vandalization which occurred when suspected political thugs attacked the party secretariat.
Dear Yahaya Bello,
Upon hearing about my coming into Kogi state for campaign, you sent APC thugs to vandalize SDP office in Lokoja; destroy by billboard, tear posters and post yours around our office.
She wrote:
May I remind you that;
– although you are the APC’s gubernatorial candidate, you are still the chief executive officer of Kogi state and the constitutional oath you swore saddles you with the responsibility to ensure safety of lives and properties.
– You can destroy my posters but you can’t wipe away my image in the minds of our people.
– you are misrepresenting the image of APC national and their nationwide followers.
In the spirit of democracy, we come in peace.
Natasha H Akpoti
SDP Gubernatorial Candidate
Kogi State.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness to conduct a free and fair election in the state and has called on all parties and stakeholders to avoid violence before, during and after the governorship elections.
