By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Kogi state government has described the vandalism of the campaign office of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP), in Lokoja as “barbaric, undemocratic and unacceptable to the people and government of the state.”
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement he signed in Lokoja on Sunday,condemned the act in its entirety.
He said Kogi state government would continue to support the freedom of anyone and everyone to aspire to positions in line with the ethos of democratic values.
Fanwo said:“Attacking the campaign office of any political party is criminal and would not be condoned.”
The commissioner called on security agencies in the state to investigate and apprehend perpetrators of the attack with the aim of bringing them to justice and to send a strong warning to hoodlums that the governorship election in the state will be decided by the ballots, not the bullets.
“The Kogi state government wishes to warn criminals and hoodlums to stay clear of the Kogi governorship poll as the state government will deal with criminals as criminals. Parties should also desist from making uninformed, malicious and inciting statements that are capable of disturbing the peace of the state.
“As a government, we will support law enforcement agencies to ensure free, fair and credible poll on November 11, 2023. We have put machinery in motion to ensure the safety of our people before, during and after the election. Parties are also enjoined to go about their campaign in an orderly and peaceful manner,” Fanwo added.
The Reporters recalls that the structure in the heart of Lokoja, the state capital,was vandalised on sunday,allegedly by thugs.