Following the reported political violence at Dakande Toll Gate in Kaduna State, Isa Mohammed Ashiru, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the state, has appealed to his supporters to remain calm and peaceful.
The appeal followed a clash involving supporters of the ADC and the All Progressives Congress, APC, during Ashiru’s return from Saudi Arabia.
Reports indicate that ADC supporters had gathered at the Dakande Toll Gate to welcome the party’s governorship candidate when they were allegedly attacked by suspected APC supporters.
An ADC member, Awwal Gezau, alleged that supporters who parked their vehicles around Maraban Jos were also attacked by hoodlums.
According to Gezau, the attackers, who allegedly arrived in Hilux vehicles and a bus, damaged several vehicles belonging to ADC supporters.
The ADC further alleged that some of its members travelling to Kaduna to receive Ashiru were attacked at Dakande.
Reacting, the ADC gubernatorial candidate, in a statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Usman condemned the alleged attack.
He, however, urged “all our supporters not to take the law into their own hands. Do not respond to provocation with violence. Do not insult, abuse, malign or defame anyone, regardless of their political affiliation or position.
“We must not allow ourselves to be dragged down to the level of those whose actions we condemn. Our strength lies in our discipline, our character and our commitment to a better Kaduna State.
“Our campaign must remain firmly focused on issues that matter to the people.”