The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, Shuaibu Idris Miqati, has condemned what he described as worsening political tensions and unprovoked attacks on party faithful in Kaduna in the last ten days.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Miqati said a group of ADC supporters who planned a peaceful solidarity walk for one of the governorship aspirants were met with brutal force, leaving several people injured and causing a near breakdown of law and order.
He described the incident as unwarranted, uncalled for and avoidable one.
The ADC candidate also cited another attack that occurred two days ago, when party supporters organized a welcome reception for Rt. Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan (Sarkin Bai Zazzau), a governorship aspirant who just returned from lesser Hajj.
According to him, the supporters were attacked and injured while windscreens and side glasses of cars were smashed. “This is clearly uncalled for and it’s a needless violence,” Miqati stated.
While noting that law enforcement agencies are stretched and overwhelmed by insecurity, Miqati stated maintaining law and order, especially in dealing with peaceful and defenceless citizens, should not be too much to ask.
He also advised political actors to be proactive by informing security agencies of planned activities to secure its protection.
He condemned the actions of the miscreants and called on the Kaduna State Government, particularly Governor Uba Sani, to call members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to order and desist from acts of violence and lawlessness.
“Many unemployed and angry youths could seize any opportunity to wreck havoc in our communities in the name of politics. Even without political party rallies, citizens are attacked regularly and their valuables taken from them both in broad day light and at night,” he said.
Miqati sympathized with those injured and those whose vehicles were destroyed, and announced a personal pledged of N500,000 to kick-start an Appeal Fund for the repair of the smashed cars and payment of hospital bills of the injured members.
He appealed for calm and understanding among all parties, stressing that everyone has the objective of moving the state forward, though they may differ in mechanisms and policies.