Kwara State police command, on Tuesday, averted what could have turned a bloody clash among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Party (APC) in Ilorin, as party supporters besieged PDP secretariat, located along Nupe Road, in a bid to take over control of the premises.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that tension brewed around the controversial party secretariat as PDP members had planned to address a press conference there, while former PDP members now in APC, vowed to resist such move.
The former PDP state chairman, now APC chieftain, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulanin, had on several occasions, informed the media that in spite of the fact that members were leaving the party, they remained the rightful owner of the property, showing receipt written in the name of the late Dr Olushola Saraki, which he said, would lapse late this year.
Supporters of the two parties were poised for a showdown at the venue as they chanted war songs.
However, attempt by PDP members to take over the secretariat was stopped by the police who insisted that none of the claimants should occupy the secretariat.
It will be recalled that Alhaji Balogun-Fulani on behalf of the party (now APC), had headed to court to enforce rightful ownership of the secretariat even as the court was yet to rule on the matter.
Nigerian Tribune also gathered that intention of PDP to address journalists at the controversial secretariat elicited announcement on state-owned ‘Radio Kwara’ by Balogun-Fulani, who directed his people to also troop to the place yesterday morning.
Thus, the whole area was fully populated by members of PDP and APC, who were anxiously awaiting police permission that would allow any of the group entry.
It was also gathered that four lorry-load of fully armed anti-riot police officers were on stand by to provide security at all roads leading to the party’s secretariat.
Also, the state commissioner of police, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover, who visited the scene could not speak with journalists as he was busy having telephone conversations during his brief visit to the party secretariat.
Reacting to the development, former secretary of PDP, Kwara State, Prince Yemi Afolayan, described the action of PDP members as another demonstration of impunity and disregard for the rule of law.
“It will be recalled that former chairman of the party sued the police for preventing him access to the former secretariat, the PDP applied to be joined in the suit which was expectedly granted without objection from the plaintiff, Mr Ishola Balogun. Just as the court adjourned for judgement, the PDP petitioned against the presiding judge. The Chief Judge reassigned the case to another respected judge of the high court.
“Unknown to us the PDP has again perfected another onslaught on the judiciary by attempting to forcibly take over the property.
“One wonders what could have motivated the PDP to take the step it took yesterday if not a desire to push our state into crisis. As a law-abiding people, and as progressives we have instructed our supporters, who were mobilised against the lawlessness of the PDP, not to do anything that will be seen as putting the court in contempt and will continue to appeal to them, not to allow this lawlessness on the part of the PDP to push them into anything that can destroy what we have laboured together over the years to build in the state.
“Obviously the PDP will be happy when there is crisis because that is where they can justify their mobilisation from Abuja and prove to their masters that they are on ground.
“It is unfortunate that this is happening at this point in time; at a point when the incident of Rivers State is yet to be settled, but we want to say that if they expect the Rivers treatment here in Kwara they shall be disappointed. Kwara has known political peace and harmony for several years and we appeal to our people not to allow a few disgruntled political elements who can only be regarded as having any level of influence, when they create crisis to succeed.
“The police authority in the state met few days ago with the leadership of all the political parties in the state and gave an undertaking to ensure peace and stability in the state, which they have been doing before. We urge them to continue in this regard and ensure that whoever is responsible for the breach of the law is promptly brought to book,” he said.
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