The All Progressives Congress (APC) wards convention to elect ward leaders became violent yesterday in Kaduna state as hoodlums hijacked the ballot boxes and confronted each other with weapons such as machete, sticks and knives injuring many people in the process.
The convention in Rigachikun ward had to be taken to the Trade Fair complex to avoid violence following which it was delayed for hours because of inadequate security. At the LEA Primary School, Malali, Kaduna North local government area, the violence was more visible as hoodlums and thugs freely engaged in a free for all fight leaving several people with machete cuts.
An INEC official in Kaduna North LGA, Hajiya Aisha Umar, in her account, said she was detailed from the office to monitor and supervise the convention at Malali ward.
“We are all watching as the voting materials were all put into a box and from nowhere some hoodlums ran into the crowd and snatched the ballot box, but others ran after them and cut off one of the arms of the man who was running away with ballot box.
“I have to run for my live to a safe place and we left our Honda Logo car with Kaduna registration number, AE 793 HKY behind. When we came back we saw that all the windscreens and windows have been smashed.”
APC chieftain in Kaduna state and Senatorial aspirant under the party, Comrade Shehu Sani blamed the violence on some people who are afraid of change and are ready to use any means to ensure that they forcefully impose their stooge on people.
Another aspirant for the Kaduna state House of Assembly, Gabasawa Constituency, Alhaji Bashar Hamman, said the incumbents who are presently holding political office should be held responsible for the misfortunes that attended the conventions.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Aminu Lawan, when contacted confirmed the attack and blamed hoodlums and thugs for the ugly incidence, but said security agents were on top of the situation.
