The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the attack on the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the party in Lagos, Olajide Adediran aka Jandor in Badagry area of the state.
State Publicity Secretary of the party, Hakeem Amode, confirmed the Sunday attack in a statement.
He said it occurred at Ikoga Junction area of Badagry Local Government Area.
Amode said several persons, including a journalist, were injured in the attack.
“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.
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“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,” the statement read.
Reacting, Atiku said attacks on members of the party must cease.
He called for the arrest of the perpetrators of the attack to serve as deterrence to others.
“The attack on the campaign train of Jandor, the PDP governorship candidate in outward Badagry, by suspected thugs is condemned.
“This pattern of attacking members of the main opposition party, including the one in Zamfara and in Kaduna two weekends ago before live TV cameras, is unacceptable.
“This work of anti-democratic elements has no place in our democracy. It is against the INEC guidelines and the Peace Accord recently signed by presidential candidates.
“Until those behind these attacks are arrested and face the full wrath of the law, it will encourage other copycats to follow suit.
“I sympathise with the JandorFunke Campaign Organisation and those injured by the attack,” Atiku said.