Unbelievable! Angry political thugs trail, strip Nasarawa Senator-elect

Nigeria’s political firmament appears to have witnessed one of the most bizarre and dangerous dimensions, following the ordeal of an All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator-elect, Godiya Akwashiki, who was allegedly stripped to his bare bodies in Abuja.

The incident, which reportedly took place on Friday, is said to be the anti-climax of a supremacy battle in Nasarawa North within the ruling APC, as Godiya’s victory, to represent the district, has reportedly incensed his opponents to take the drastic and outlandish action.

Though Blueprint is yet to confirm but a local publication Voice of Nasarawa reports that Godiya who currently represents Eggon West in Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA), was assailed by thugs, who beat him to stupor at the Maitama’s residence of Alhaji Danladi Halilu Envuluanza after he honoured the wife’s invitation for a dinner to celebrate his latest electoral feat.

Sadly however the Dinner’s invitation was with a different motive. According to an eyewitness, Hon. Godiya upon arrival met the shock of his life as unknown men seized him. The eyewitness, a neighbor narrated that the culprit was beaten, stripped naked and photographed to smear his public repute.

His pockets were emptied by the assailants who rained all sort of insults on him most notably ‘banza arne’, which literally means ‘unbeliever’ in Hausa, a spoken language of northern Nigerians.

Godiya who was unconscious for minutes after severe beating was earlier urging for calm. He promised to sweep the matter under the carpet if set free. The passionate appeal however fell on deaf ears. His clothes were torn and footwears taken away, leaving him naked and barefooted.

A call by an unknown person who reported the incident to the security saved Godiya from the hands of the abductors. He has been rushed to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

When contacted, an aide to Envuluanza denied his principal’s involvement. He sympathized with the deputy speaker of the 5th NSHA and Senator-elect, wishing him speedy recovery.

The duo has since last year been at loggerheads politically. This was renewed shortly after Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections which Godiya emerged victorious, defeating Chief Mike Abdul(PDP), Hon. Sam Alu(APGA) among others against all odds.

Efforts to contact Envuluanza’s wife to hear her own side of the story proved abortive. A close associate however sympathized with Godiya and wished him speedy recovery.

Godiya who is serving a second term as a state lawmaker was first elected in 2011 under former Nigeria’s ruling party, PDP. He is a strong ally of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura whom he saved from impeachment in 2013.

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