As you read this, there is palpable tension in Kogi State following allegations of assassination attempt levelled by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and the Social Democratic Party, SDP candidate in the November 2023 governorship election, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka on each other.
Gov. Bello has alleged on Saturday that he escaped death after his convoy was blocked and attacked by people believed to be supporters of the SDP candidate in Lokoja.
In a statement issued by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, the attack took place near the Naval Base, few kilometres from Lokoja.
Fanwo stated that the convoy of the SDP candidate, having sighted that of the Governor, blocked the road and his armed thugs started shooting sporadically at the convoy of the Governor.
The statement reads: “A Tundra branded with the logo of the SDP and with SDP flags also blocked the Governor’s vehicle and occupants of the SDP branded Tundra were armed with Rifles and short guns. The Governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic as the Governor is in high spirit.
“Some security aides and other aides attached to the Governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for medical attention.”
But the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka has pooh-poohed the allegation, alleging instead, that he “luckily escaped assassination when his motorcade was attacked by gunmen personally led by the Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello.”
According to a statement by Faruk Adejoh-Audu, Director of Communications, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Organisation, Alhaji Ajaka and some vehicles accompanying him were approaching Lokoja at the vicinity of the ram market at about 3.00pm when two powerbikes and Toyota Hilux overtook his car and forced it to a stop.
This assault was heralded by a Mercrdes Benz Limousine with Bello’s official crest accompanied by an open pick-loaded with masked and hooded men bearing AK 47 Assault Rifles.
“The men jumped down an began shooting at Ajaka’s car and all other cars in the motorcade. They shot for over 5 minutes at Ajaka’s bullet proof car unprovoked.
“All this while Bello’s car was parked a few meters in front and was used to barricade the road while the gun men had a field day.
“When they ceased, Ajaka’s car, a Lexus SUV though a bullet proof was totally damaged and demobilised.”
It will be recalled that the SDP candidate Muritala Ajaka until recently was a member of Yahaya Bello’s All Progressives Congress, APC. He was prevented from participating in the APC guber primaries following an injunction from a Lokoja High Court. He later joined the SDP where he picked the governorship ticket.
