PDP Reacts To Southern Kaduna Attacks, Killings Few Days To Election

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has reacted to the consistent killings in the southern part of the state a few days before the 2023 governorship and state house of assembly elections.

The party condemned the recent attack by suspected terrorists in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state, saying the attacks are a threat to democracy.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the chairman of the PDP in Kaduna State, Felix Hassan Hyat, said the unrepentant killers are playing a script to suppress votes and shortchange the PDP in Southern Kaduna.

Hyat expressed concerns that “The resurgence in banditry in Southern Kaduna communities in the last few days calls for serious concern. The pattern, nature, and timing of the attacks, especially after a period of relative peace in the area ahead of the presidential and national assembly elections, is quite suspicious.”

“The PDP in Kaduna State is worried that the attackers may be playing out a script designed to scare, displace, and ultimately suppress the votes of the people of Southern Kaduna.”

“We condemn this dastardly act in its entirety and call on the security agencies to be more proactive and decisive in the face of this threat to the survival of the people and democracy in Kaduna State.”

The PDP chieftain, however, urged residents of the state to remain calm and also vigilant by promptly reporting any suspicious movements in their areas to the appropriate authorities.

“Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. We, therefore, appeal to everyone not to give in to the antics of those behind the attacks by taking the laws into their own hands.

“No one should create a reason for the outbreak of violence in the area or the imposition of punitive security measures that will lead to the postponement, cancellation or manipulation of the elections in the zone,” Hyat said.

He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to be disturbed by the recent security developments in Southern Kaduna, assuring that the people of the zone are unshaken in their resolve to be peaceful and participate in the next round of elections on March 18, 2023, no matter the level of provocation.

“We also want to encourage those who wish to travel home for the elections not to relent or be scared because of the attacks. The aim of the attackers is to scare you away from exercising your civic responsibility, but do not cave in.:

“We pray for the repose of the innocent lives lost, speedy recovery of the injured, and comfort to the chiefdoms, direct families, and communities affected by the recent spade of attacks in the southern Kaduna zone,” Hyet said in a statement.