Hoodlums suspected to be hirelings of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) on Friday attacked and disrupted a gathering of lawyers meeting in
Akure, the Ondo State capital, to support Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential
candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawyers, who are members of “Lawyers for Change,” were
organizing a campaign rally for Mr. Buhari at the time of the attack.
organizing a campaign rally for Mr. Buhari at the time of the attack.
A lawyer, Titiloye Charles, told SaharaReporters that the
thugs were armed with guns and machetes, and threatened to kill the lawyers if
they carried out any rally in the state.
thugs were armed with guns and machetes, and threatened to kill the lawyers if
they carried out any rally in the state.
The lawyers were attacked as they gathered in front of the
State High Court waiting for their other colleagues before proceeding on the
road show.
State High Court waiting for their other colleagues before proceeding on the
road show.
Two owners of businesses near the court confirmed the
incident to our correspondent.
incident to our correspondent.
“I saw it,” one of the business owners said. He added, “The
lawyers gathered together at the front of the court preparing to move out on
the street and canvass for APC. Then a group of boys who were already drunk
came and disrupted the gathering.”
lawyers gathered together at the front of the court preparing to move out on
the street and canvass for APC. Then a group of boys who were already drunk
came and disrupted the gathering.”
Mr. Charles disclosed that, a few days ago, the lawyers had
written to the security agencies in the state to notify them of a rally to
support the APC.
written to the security agencies in the state to notify them of a rally to
support the APC.
“The thugs just came in from nowhere and unleashed terror on
our members while we were waiting for others to join us. They disrupted the
procession which was about starting,” said Mr. Charles. He added, “our
democracy is under threat if lawyers cannot openly associate and express
themselves or have a say during the election.”
our members while we were waiting for others to join us. They disrupted the
procession which was about starting,” said Mr. Charles. He added, “our
democracy is under threat if lawyers cannot openly associate and express
themselves or have a say during the election.”
The lawyer continued, “Everyday, as the election draws near,
the ruling PDP’s desperation increases. And our security agents watch
helplessly.”
the ruling PDP’s desperation increases. And our security agents watch
helplessly.”
The police in the state were reluctant to speak on the
record about the attack. However, an officer at the state command told our
correspondent that the incident “will be investigated and culprits brought to
book.”
record about the attack. However, an officer at the state command told our
correspondent that the incident “will be investigated and culprits brought to
book.”
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