The Kogi State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, has accused Governor Yahaya Bello Saturday’s assassination attempt on his life.
Ajaka’s campaign’s spokesperson, Faruk Audu-Adejoh, accused the governor’s gun-wielding men in the convoy of àttacking the aspirant.
The statement reads: “Ajaka and some vehicles accompanying him were approaching Lokoja at the vicinity of the Ram Market at about 300pm when two power bikes and a Toyota Hilux overtook his car and forced it to a stop.”
According to Audu-Adejoh, Bello’s security details jumped down and began shooting at Ajaka’s and all other cars in the motorcade for more then five minutes
“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 bulletproof (car); was totally damaged and demobilised,” the statement revealed.
It was learnt learnt that Ajaka cut short his courtesy visit to paramount rulers in the state and returned to Abuja as a result of the encounter.
According to one of Ajaka’s closest aides, Muhammad, the SDP chieftain “escaped by grace of God”, saying, “his bulletproof vehicle prevented the bullets from reaching him as he was shot at close range in the confusion that ensued on the highway.”
The Kogi State Government has reacted that the governor’s convoy was blocked and attacked by people believed to be supporters of Ajaka.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who stated this said the attack was near the Naval Base, a few kilometres from Lokoja where the convoy of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, adding that “having sighted that of the governor, blocked the road and some of his armed thugs started shooting sporadically at the convoy of the governor.
“The governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic as the Governor is in high spirit”, Fanwo said.
