Some civil society organisations marched peacefully in Abuja on Saturday, calling for the arrest of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Muritala Ajaka, for snubbing Police invitations and endangering security in Kogi State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the CSOs, which included the Coalition for Credible Elections in Nigeria and Kogi State Young Professionals, carried placards with messages such as “Anyone who ignores Police invitations must be arrested immediately”, “arrest and prosecute killers of Khadijat now”, “Gov. Bello, don’t be soft on promoters of violence”, “we demand peaceful elections in Kogi State”, and “IGP must declare Ajaka wanted now”.
They also sought justice for Khadijat Yahaya, a female supporter of the All Progressives Congress, who was allegedly murdered by SDP thugs.
They cited the Kogi State Police Command as saying that Ajaka had been invited on several occasions to give his own side of the story on the complaint of Breach of Security Against The Executive Governor of Kogi State at Banda on 3Rd June, 2023, but he had refused to honour the invitations.
The CSOs accused Ajaka of moving around with armed thugs instead of applying for Police Security as required by law.
They urged the Police to declare Ajaka wanted if he continues to ignore Police invitations, undermine security efforts and pose a threat to the peace of Kogi State.
“The Police, in a recent statement, said he had been invited on several occasions, just like other candidates, in line with investigations into allegations of violence but that he had refused to honour the invitations, yet, up till now, he has not been declared wanted when we all know that he doesn’t have constitutional immunity but already acting above the law,” said Israel Abiodun, coordinator for Coalition for Credible Elections.
