From Maiharaji Altine
The wife of Zamfara state PDP gubernortorial candidate, Mrs Lawan Dare had escaped lynching when her convoy was attacked in Gusau town last Friday night.
She however escaped unhurt while many of her escorts were injured and were currently receiving medical treatment in one of the hospitals in Gusau town the state capital.
Speaking to newsmen on the incidence, the PDP gubernortorial candidate, Dauda Lawan Dare blamed the state government for the attack, saying that it was politically motivated.
Dare stated that the state government was not comfortable with the growing popularity of the PDP, that was why it has resorted to attacking its members.
“I have already reported the ugly development to the security agencies in the State, waiting for their response”, he added.
The PDP governorship candidate further alleged that the arms and ammunition used in attacking his wife’s convoy was procured by the state government.
He therefore urged his teeming supporters to remain calm and focus on their electoral processes, saying that the APC leading government has taken the 2023 general elections as do or die affair.
He advised the security agencies in the State to thoroughly investigate the matter and prosecute the perpetrators according to justice.
Reacting to the allegation, the Commandant of the State Anti Thuggery Agency, Mohammed Bello Bakyasuwa denied the report, saying that the claim was baseless.
Bakyasuwa promised to take legal action against the PDP gubernortorial candidate for smearing the good image of Anti thuggery agency.
Bakyasuwa maintained that at about 12:30 last night, a group of people including the wife of PDP governorship candidate were caught with dangerous weapons and they were arrested.
Bakyasuwa stated that two AK 47were recovered from the PDP political thugs, saying that five of his operatives sustained various degrees of injuries in the operation.
“I did not see it as an attack. They attacked us first and in self defense, we arrested some of the alleged criminals.
He maitained that the Anti Thuggery Agency was not created to intimidate the opposition, adding that, we are apolitical”.
“We were not meant to arrest anybody but the political thugs who were in the convoy of the wife of PDP gubernatorial candidate started shouting on us”.
Some of them attacked our personnel and we were left with no option but to defend ourselves that was the reason why many people including our men were injured.
He assured the people of the State that the forthcoming general elections would be conducted peacefully without any rancour.
“I am assuring the people of the state that this forthcoming general elections will go smoothly without any hitch”.
