Thugs armed with guns and other dangerous weapons have attacked the campaign train of Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State.
The incident was said to have occurred while the convoy reached the Ikoga Junction area of Badagry Local Government.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday evening by the Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Hakeem Amode.
He added that several members of the party and journalists sustained injuries in the attack.
The statement read, “The campaign train of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party was attacked today while returning from visitation to members of the party at the Ikoga Junction area of Badagry Local Government by All Progressives Congress sponsored thugs this evening.
“The attack led to injuries of several members of Jandor’s entourage and pressmen. As of the time of this press statement, one of the news reporters is in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital while those injured are been treated.
“The thugs that attack the campaign train were shouting APC while shooting guns and using dangerous weapons.
“You will recall that our party raised concern over the threat to use APC-sponsored thugs to attack the campaign programs of our Gubernatorial candidate Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran-Jandor recently and we would like to state categorically that this will not deter the determination of our candidate to campaign for the next election and win the election come March 29, 2023.
“We would like to call on the Commissioner of Police of Lagos state and the Area Commander of Police in the Badagry division to do everything possible to fish out those behind the attack and necessary disciplinary actions taken against them to forestall such occurrences in the future and to instill confidence in our members that they will be protected during this campaign period.
“We would like to also strongly warn those that are hell-bent on causing trouble or planning to disrupt the campaign and elections that we would not fold our arms and watch as we will resist all forms of intimidation.”
However, in his reaction, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lagos State chapter, Mr Seye Oladejo, told The PUNCH that the PDP has resorted to propaganda to elicit sympathy from the public.
He said, “This is just another level in the propaganda machinery of the PDP candidate to curry public sympathy through blatant lies and unsubstantiated claims.
“The opposition party before now had more credible and accomplished candidates who flew their flags during elections and ran a good race. It is worthy of note that neither were they so desperate nor unnecessarily heat up the polity with needless lies.
“One cannot but wonder what led to the descent to the lowest abyss. Nigerians know too well that this is the season of endless comedy of the absurd coming from the stable of the professionals.
“They are advised to focus on issues-based campaigns that will make life more meaningful for all Lagosians. However, we understand that it can be overwhelming, frustrating, and depressing to contest against a highly successful incumbent who has become the yardstick for good governance.”