The Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress on Tuesdayaccused each other of being responsible for the death of six people in Dogo Fadama, Mariga Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
No fewer than six people were reportedly killed in a clash involving thugs believed to be loyal to the two leading parties in the state.
The ruling party claimed in a statement in Minna on Tuesday that APC supporters were paid to ambush the campaign convoy of its governorship candidate, Umar Nasko, with an intention to kill him.
The state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Hassan Saba, said the opposition party had realised that the PDP was set to win the next governorship election and also consolidate on its winning streak in other elective positions.
He added that the attitude of the state opposition party was capable of plunging Niger State into one of the worst political challenges since its creation in 1976.
“The opposition should hold its head in shame over the death of six people in Mariga. We know the misguided youths, who ambushed our governorship aspirant and his campaign team, were offered money, alcohol and other illicit drugs.”
However the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, dismissed the PDP’s allegations, insisting that the ruling party hired thugs from Kano to cause mayhem in villages, where its candidate was not popular
Vatsa said the PDP had become notorious for the use of paid thugs in electioneering.
“The only villager that was killed in Dogo Fadama was our supporter and he was killed by PDP thugs hired for that purpose. PDP has become a party of terror in the state and the country in general,” he said.
He called on APC supporters not to engage in any form of reprisal over the killing in Mariga, adding that they should remain calm and peaceful while security agents investigate the incident.
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