10th June, 2011
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has alerted security agencies and all lovers of democracy to the use of violence by the PDP in several states to frustrate its (ACN) petitions at the various election tribunals across the country.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the most recent instance of such cases of violence was recorded in Jigawa on Thursday, when the ACN chairman in the state, Dr. Abubakar Fulata, and over 50 party members were attacked by thugs after the day’s sitting of the state election petition tribunal.
”These thugs, who were armed to the teeth with various weapons, were led by the PDP chairman in the state, Ahmed Isa Duniya Bahutu; Chief of Staff to Governor Aminu Ibrahim Ringim as well as Muhammadu Daguro.
”They physically attacked and manhandled our Jigawa state chairman, even as well-armed policemen looked on without making any arrest. Even one Garba Liman, the PDP chairman from Birnin Kudu local government, who was arrested by the SSS, was quickly released on the orders of the state government.
“The attacks did not spare other members of the ACN, most of whom sustained serious injuries, including one with a broken arm,” it said.
ACN said the main purpose of such attacks is to intimidate the ACN and force the party to abandon its petitions, when party members realise their lives are in danger every time they appear at the tribunal.
”As everyone knows, ACN is not a violent party. We believe in using constitutional means to protest any hijacking of our mandate,instead of engaging in street battles. But when this channel is closed by a virulent and anarchic party hell bent on using foul means to keep an illegal mandate, the outcome can only be chaos and anarchy.
”This is why we are crying out now, so that all those concerned can act urgently to stem the tide of unpleasant scenarios resulting fromthe impunity of the PDP,” ACN said.