Suspected thugs on Monday attacked supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a rally to canvass for votes for Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate.
The thugs which arrived at the Ranchers Bees Stadium, the venue of the rally, wielding sticks and machetes.
Reacting to the situation, Atiku urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members in order to ensure a hitch-free campaign and elections.
“I have just received emergency reports of attacks on PDP supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago,” Atiku said.
“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns, just as with the elections themselves, are kept free, fair and safe,” he added.
Similarly, the former vice president also condemned the attacks on PDP members in Zamfara state.
According to Atiku, the attacks led to the death of one supporter with several others injured.
Atiku described the attack as an attempt to scuttle the lawful right of Nigerians to assemble peacefully and “a direct attempt to suppress the legitimate campaigns of the PDP” in Zamfara state.
“I reassure the Zamfara State PDP of my support, and most importantly, my heart goes out to the PDP family in Zamfara and the friends and loved ones of victims of this attack,” Atiku said via Twitter.
