A frontline aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Isoko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Pastor Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko has condemned in strong terms, Tuesday’s alleged attack on a fellow aspirant, Bashorun Askia Ogieh and his supporters during a consultation visit to Otor-Igho in Isoko North LGA of Delta State.
Ukodhiko in a statement by his Press Secretary, Ajiri-Oghene Joseph Oreh, said the incident was condemnable and urged security agencies to promptly initiate investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
According to him, the attempt to maliciously link Ukodhiko and the Council Chairman, Christian Iteire to the attack is a ploy to paint the leading aspirant for the House of Representatives, in Isoko Federal Constituency, as a man who promotes violence.
“Our attention has been drawn to Tuesday’s alleged attack on Bashorun Askia Ogieh during his consultation visit to the Isoko North PDP Executive at Otor-Igho.
“While we join well-meaning Isoko people to condemn this barbaric and unacceptable thuggery, it is preposterous for any medium to link the incident to Pastor Jonathan Ukodhiko and Hon. Christian Iteire.
“The entire Isoko nation knows that Ukodhiko is a very peace loving gentleman and would never engage in acts of thuggery and violence to prove any political point.
“Politics of thuggery and violence is alien to Isoko nation especially with the improved electoral system occasioned by the Electoral Act 2022.
“We have conducted our visitations in a very peaceful manner and our campaign is accepted across the 24 wards in Isoko and other aspirants have been to Isoko North for consultation without hitches.
“It is therefore unacceptable to link the alleged perpetrators to his ambition as he didn’t and will never engage in such clandestine acts.
“We demand a retraction and an unreserved apology from all the publishers of the fake and malicious story linking us to the said incident.
“Let us refrain from all forms of violence, intimidation and blackmail as inciting crisis does not win election but by the acceptability of the people.
“I urge my fellow aspirants to caution their supporters and focus on the campaign to sell ourselves to the people to make their choice.
“While we pray for quick recovery for the injured, we call on security agencies to quickly investigate the unfortunate incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice,” he stated
