Suspected thugs set ablaze the governorship campaign office of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) situated in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Sunday night.
It was gathered that the hoodlums scared away the security men at the office and thereafter set the office on fire, destroying valuables and documents, including vehicles, generators, computers and campaign materials.
Confirming the attack, the SDP deputy governorship candidate for the November 11 gubernatorial election in the state, Dr Sam Ranti Abenemi, said the perpetrators invaded the office located around Paparanda Square on IBB Way around 12am and carried out the act.
Abenemi said: “The hoodlums came in large numbers and set all the property in the office on fire, including generators, computers, campaign materials, and televisions.”
The politician, however, urged all supporters of the SDP to remain calm about the incident, stressing that the party would address the issue at the appropriate quarters.
Also, the Director, Communication of the SDP standard bearer, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, said, “We invite the world and all people of good conscience to come to the aid of Kogi State by rising to condemn these sustained brazen acts of abuse of power.
“This trend has continued despite our repeated outcries and a formal complaint to the security agencies against the known perpetrators of these acts of extreme electoral violence.
“We have again formally lodged another complaint at the Kogi State Police Command for whatever it is worth, but we have no confidence in the ability of security agencies in Lokoja to rein in these arsonists,” Adejoh-Audu was quoted.
The State Police Command, however, has not issued any official statement regarding the incident as of reporting time.