Election: Kwara state beating drums of war

The hitherto peaceful atmosphere of the ancient city of Ilorin, Kwara state, is being threatened by activities of political thugs as supporters of APC and PDP continue to engage each another in violent confrontations. UMAR BAYO ABDULWAHAB reports.

Reminiscences                                                                             

For those who witnessed the political violence that engulfed Ilorin, the kwara state capital in the 2003 general elections, never again will they pray for a repeat of the bloody incidents that claimed the lives of scores of innocent people.

In a conversations with some female politicians, they expressed worries over recent political disturbances in the State of Harmony.

‘‘Each time I recalled the incidents of that era, (2003) my heart beats faster and I pray that never again should we witness that bloody era in Ilorin.

“Two months after the 2003 general elections, soldiers were not withdrawn from the major streets of Ilorin and we were forced to raise our hands whenever we walk even on Fridays when we go to the Mosque to observe our prayers”, said Azeezat Makinde, a politician who spoke to Blueprint at the premises of one of the political parties in Ilorin.

Blueprint found out that many people thronged the Agbaji quarters in Ilorin to empathise with the victims of the recent attacks on members of the community by suspected political thugs who went on rampage destroying properties worth several millions of naira and injuring several persons.

Fire on the mountain

The peace and harmony of Ilorin was once again threatened by activities of two main political parties, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition All Progressive Congress (APC).

This followed recent political developments where political thugs loyal to APC and PDP continued to engage each another in violent confrontations.

Disruption of IEDPU’s conference

The high point of the brewing political crisis in the emirate was the disruption of the annual conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), the umbrella body of all socio-cultural organisations of indigenes of Ilorin Emirate on December 25, 2018.

Destruction of campaign materials 

Few hours after, residents of the state also woke up to see that billboards, posters and banners of political parties were destroyed in different locations in Ilorin by unknown persons.

As if that was not enough, on January 12, 2019, supporters of APC and PDP confronted each another leaving many people injured. 

Four days after, precisely on Sunday January, 2019, hell was let loose again as some political thugs went on rampage unleashing terror on innocent citizens in Ilorin including the family compound of the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki. About 50 exotics cars were damaged in the process while several innocent residents were also injured. Both parties have continued to blame one another for the attacks.

Accusations and counter accusations

Since the occurrence of the ugly incidents, reactions have continued with both parties blaming one another for the repeated violence.  

 PDP in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Mr Tunde Ashaolu, condemned the attack and expressed worry over what it described as the intolerance and brigandage demonstrated by the APC and its supporters.

“At Adewole, the APC thugs attacked our members who were in a meeting and shot sporadically into the air to disperse them. This resulted in two of our members sustaining gunshot injuries. The thugs were reportedly led by Comrade Musbau Esinrogunjo, a former senatorial aspirant of APC.

“Also, at Pakata, one Ibrahim Labaika led hoodlums to attack our members with matchet, and one of them was seriously injured. They also destroyed billboards belonging to our party and the Senate president, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Some of our members were equally attacked at Solagberu, Agbaji Ward.

“We condemn these attacks on our members while calling on the police to investigate this incident and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

 APC kicks

In a swift reaction, the APC also accused the PDP of masterminding the attacks during which it said its governorship candidates narrowly escaped assassination.

The party alleged that two persons were seriously injured by gunshots fired by the thugs at the rally and have since been taken to the hospital.

 In his reaction, Rafiu Ajakaiye APC spokesperson said, PDP supporters attacked APC members who were on campaign during which its governorship candidate was whisked away by security agents.

 ‘‘We condemn this brazen resort to violence. This is getting out of hand.

“We call on all the security agencies to buckle up and tame the monsters terrorising everybody in not just Ilorin but everywhere in Kwara’’.

 Police cautions trouble makers 

Apparently ready to confront trouble makers in the state, former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, approved the establishment of three additional area commands and five divisional police stations in the state.

Former Force Public Relations Office (PPRO), Jimoh Moshood, announced this in Ilorin. He warned political parties and their supporters against any act that could lead to break down of law and order in the state. 

Gov Ahmed goes tough

Rising from a state Security Council meeting, Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed announced the ban of political street rallies and processions with immediate effect.

He said henceforth, only political rallies in designated areas with prior notification to the state police command will be allowed.

The ban came barely 24 hours after the  security council presided over by the governor approved a joint military task force comprising the Army, Air Force, Police, and Civil Defence Cops to monitor various political campaigns and maintain peace across the state.

 “As additional security measure, political street rallies and processions are hereby banned across the state. Only political rallies in designated areas with prior notification to the state police command will be allowed henceforth.

“Those who aspire to political leadership must conduct themselves in a peaceful, and lawful manner while prioritising the safety of the people they seek to lead.

He added that, “Political parties and their supporters are also charged to solicit for votes in a lawful manner and refrain from deploying divisive and inciting rhetoric or instigating violence against real or perceived opponents”.

Anarchy looms

While some welcome the governor’s decisions,  candidates of opposition political parties including Labour Party, Comrade Issa Aremu  and APC’s Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq rejected it.

Also backing the opposition are two leading pro – democracy groups in the state: Save Kwara and Kwara Must change, which challenged the powers of the governor to do so.

 Abdulrazaq told journalists in Ilorin that the governor’s pronouncement is an attempt to frustrate the party’s campaigns in the state.

“They have made all efforts to frustrate our campaigns. They started by attacking our rallies. You know that they have had so many rallies and there has not been violence in any of their rallies. But the moment we stepped out to campaign, they attacked us”.

With few days to the general elections in the state, there have been concerns about the security situation in Ilorin in particular where some analysts described as battle ground for the APC and PDP whose governorship candidates are both from Kwara Central.

That the opposition and some groups in the state are challenging the constitutional powers of the governor to ban rallies is more disturbing at this point in time when it is said that all hands must be on deck to ensure that peace reigns supreme in the state.

Leave a Reply