The Gombe State chapter of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned “in strong terms,” the demolition of the Campaign office of its Governorship candidate by the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya describing it as an affront and act of provocation.
The Elders Forum of the PDP therefore called on the APC to henceforth stop all provocative actions against members of the opposition parties in the state in the interest of peace and tranquility.
Officials of Gombe State Urban Planning And Development Authority (GOSUPDA) had on Tuesday demolished illegal structures in the State including the PDP Gubernatorial candidate, Jibrin Barde’s campaign office.
The APC Publicity Secretary, Moses Kyari, justified the demolition of the campaign office, insisting that it was done legally in line with all due process.
Chairman of the Elders Forum, Alhaji Bala Magaji told journalists in Gombe late Wednesday in reaction to the demolition which he said is gradually heating up the polity, noted: “We strongly condemned the activities of Government of Gombe state, what they did on Tuesday to the office of PDP Gubernatorial candidate. They demolished his campaign office, people were harassed, there was chaos, this is condemnable action and provocation.
“Months ago, part of the structure was demolished and now the whole structure was pulled down for the sake of political vendetta.”
Bala Magaji stressed that the same building served as a support office to Governor Inuwa Yahaya in 2019 during his campaign following the decision of Barde who was a gubernatorial aspirant of APC then but could not clinch the ticket.”
He explained further that “the structure served as support office to Inuwa Yahaya and posters were all over the area ,from the office to the Government House but PDP Government under former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo did not make any attempt to demolish it.”
He however called on all concerned especially the security agents in Gombe to live up to their expectations of keeping Peace and order as well as protecting lives and property of the citizens.
The Elders Forum Chairman also said that, Gombe State was created in 1996 based on request by the people so that Gombe can develop in peace but things are changing now, the peace they fought for, is being trampled upon for selfish reasons.
Bala Magaji then called on the supporters of the PDP to remain calm and law abiding assuring that they as Elders will not allow anyone to take law in to their hands during the build up to the electioneering.
