The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has denied importing thugs during the recent caucus meeting in Otukpo area of the state.
DAILY POST reports that no fewer than six persons were feared killed and several others injured after fight broke out during the Benue South caucus meeting held in Otukpo on Friday.
Report had it that fight broke out between some boys believed to be loyal to the current chairman of the party in the state and a senatorial aspirant, leading to the death six persons, including one Pastor Sam and several other persons badly injured.
The party in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Apeh Peterhot, said the report of APC chairman, Abba Yaro parading thugs during the meeting was untrue and should be discarded.
His statement reads in full.
“I want to state categorically without mincing words that Prince Abba Yaro, unlike other cynical politicians, does not parade thuggery at political rallies. As a law abiding citizen, the State Chairman of our party attended the meeting with only his official Police Orderly as his security.
“Let me equally state here once again that there was no fracas at the venue of the meeting throughout the period of the caucus meeting.
“It is therefore clear that the rumor is fabricated by some disgruntled recalcitrant elements who are idling away in pains over the successes being recorded by our State Chairman, Abba Yaro, ahead of the Congress billed to commence on May 2nd, especially after being adopted and endorsed by the Zone C Caucus of the party.
“However, according to the report from the Zonal Chairman of the Party, Hon. Hassan Mohmmad, the shooting that led to the death of one person around the APC Zonal office in Otukpo as reported by the Police, may have come on the instruction of one Senatorial aspirant, an incumbent House of Representatives member -Hon. Hassan Saleh and the honourable Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and their co-travelers who were enraged over the endorsement of Comrade Abba Yaro for a second term in office.
“According to the information, immediately after the Zone C APC Caucus meeting, Chief Ogbeh, Hassan Saleh and their co-travelers called for another meeting at a hotel few meters away from the APC Zonal office at Otukpo. It was alleged that it was from the meeting that the thugs emanated to carry out the barbaric act on our supporters who were jubilating at the zonal office of the party.
“It is devastating that some politicians who are relatively unknown at the grassroots level would, out of their parochial interest use our youths against each other in such manner.
“We urge the Police and other security agencies to live up to their task over this wanton killing of our innocent youths. And we called on our supporters and fans to remain calm even in the face of this unhealthy challenge. While, reinstating our trust in the security agencies.
“On behalf of our State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, we welcome our dear President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) back to the country after days away in his efforts to put our dear nation on glorious paths amongst comity of international communities. We pledge our loyalty to Mr. President and declare our unalloyed support for him ahead of the 2019 general elections.”
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