By Segun Adewale in Gombe
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Gombe State has condemned the alleged destruction of properties belonging to residents and APC members by supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami.
The condemnation came following reports of alleged violence on Wednesday during a rally in parts of the state capital where some vehicles, shops and billboards were allegedly destroyed.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Deputy Director, Media of the Campaign Council, Dahiru Hassan Kera, described the incident as unfortunate, undemocratic and capable of heating up the polity.
Kera alleged that Pantami’s supporters were becoming intolerant and exhibiting traits of religious extremism in their approach to politics.
“The way and manner Pantami’s supporters are going about is becoming worrisome. They are becoming religious extremists and intolerant of opposition. This is not the kind of politics we preach in Gombe,” he said.
He called on the police and other security agencies to wade in and tackle the menace before it escalates, urging them to investigate the alleged rampage and bring perpetrators to book.
He further stated that opposition politics should not be desperate and intolerant, adding that all political actors should be allowed to campaign freely without intimidation or destruction of their properties.
According to him, the APC as a party believes in peaceful campaigns and issue-based engagements rather than violence and destruction.
He urged supporters of the party across the state to remain law-abiding and not to engage in reprisal attacks, assuring that the campaign council would lodge a formal complaint with security agencies.
