Ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari visits to Kwara state on Wednesday), women in the state have urged him to use the occasion of the visit to end the scourge of political violence being witnessed in Ilorin, the state capital.
They asked the president to direct the security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the masterminds and perpetrators of the recent political violence in Ilorin, the state capital.
Led by the women leader of the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaja Ramata Oganija, they expressed their displeasure over the alleged maiming and killing of innocent residents by political thugs at various locations in Ilorin metropolis.
Hajia Oganija, said women, as mothers were saddened by the recent orgy of violence by political thugs in Ilorin reputed for its peaceful nature.
It is recalled that political thugs allegedly loyal to a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state had last Thursday and Sunday unleashed violence on residents of Ilorin,including the people of Agbaji family residence of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
At least, 11 persons sustained gunshot wounds while 50 vehicles and valuable property were destroyed at Agbaji quarters during the fracas.
The PDP women leader also urged the President to use his planned visit to Ilorin on Wednesday, not only to campaign but to ask his party men to end all their criminalities in the name of politics.
“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari, as the father of the nation to look beyond party affiliation, and partisanship and direct the security agencies to apprehend and prosecute all those who have been disturbing the peace of Kwara state and their sponsors.
“The president should use his visit to Ilorin not only to campaign but to ask his party men to end all their criminalities in the name of politics”, she said.
Hajia Oganija who blamed the incessant attacks on members of the PDP on political thugs loyal to a faction of APC in the state, called on security agencies and the general public to condemn and fish out perpetrators of the breakdown of law and order.
They stated that the death-dealing thugs who were allegedly led by two members of the APC, Yahaya Gambari Seriki and Comrade Musbau Esinrogunjo, opened fire on residents of the peaceful community and injured no fewer than 11 people in the process, who are mostly members and supporters of our party.
The women claimed that they vandalized over 50 vehicles parked at different locations within Agbaji and also carted away property including motorcycles belonging to residents of the area.
“This attack came few days after the Senate President raised an alarm planned attacks on his family members and supporters, and barely four days after a similar attacks on PDP members in some parts of Ilorin. Some of those injured are still receiving treatment at the different hospitals in town.
“What is disheartening is the fact that some security officials in uniform were said to have provided cover for the hoodlums who unleashed terror on our members and supporters at Agbaji. It is also unfortunate that the Federal Government and the APC would resort to using state institutions to harass and intimidate opposition figures and their supporters. This is barbaric, illegal and undemocratic, and it must stop”, she said.
Oganija was flanked by other prominent women leaders in the state, including two former PDP women leaders, Alhaja Muslimat Ibrahim, Alhaja Sarat Adebayo and two current members of the state House of Assembly, Alhaja Sikirat Anako and Alhaja Segilola AbdulKadir.
