Our Correspondent, Bauchi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State have continued to shift blame over eruption of violence in campaigns in the state.

It could be recalled that the PDP, on Thursday, condemned alleged attacks on its members and innocent members of the public by suspected political thugs loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Addressing newsmen, the PDP Campaign Council Director General, Farouk Mustapha, alleged that APC thugs on Wednesday, attacked its members in Duguri Town, Alkaleri LGA killing one person and injured 15 others during a campaign of its gubernatorial candidate, Former Chief of Air Staff Saddique Abubakar.

READ ALSO: One Reportedly Killed As APC, PDP Supporters Clash At Bauchi Gov’s Village

“All of the gubernatorial candidates of the various parties signed a peace accord at the State Police Command headquarters with all security agencies as it has been the practice in every election year.

“However, the gubernatorial candidate of the APC was absent as only his Deputy candidate was in attendance showing no respect for peace and harmony to reign in Bauchi state.

“To our dismay, while all the candidates were busy signing the peace accord, the gubernatorial candidate of APC embarked on a last rush campaign tour to Duguri Town, the hometown of Gov. Bala Mohammed and the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship elections,” he said.

He added that the APC gubernatorial candidate moved into Duguri with thousands of political thugs, conventional and other security outfits who were well armed.

According to him, violence also erupted in Akuyam in Misau and Toro Local Government Areas where three people were shot dead during the campaign exercise of the party.

However, while reacting to the allegation in a news conference on Thursday, Mr Salisu Barau, Director, Media and Publicity, APC gubernatorial campaign council, said the allegation was not true.

According to him, the APC gubernatorial candidate’s convoy was attacked on Wednesday by armed thugs while on a campaign tour to Duguri, adding that three persons in their team were shot and wounded.

“This is not the first time our candidate came under gun attacks by hoodlums suspected to be sponsored by the PDP Government in Bauchi State.

“Last month, two similar attempts were made on the life of the Air Marshal at Akuyam, the home village of PDP State Chairman when the APC Candidate visited them on campaign tour.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Gubernatorial Candidates Sign Peace Accord

“The point should be made clear that since the emergence of our gubernatorial candidate as the flag bearer, we have made efforts to resist all manner of well-articulated provocation, evil machinations and derogatory remarks of the ruling PDP in order to maintain peace and healthy politicking in the State,” he said.

Barau also stated that the party gubernatorial candidate had out of his magnanimity and kindness had visited the victims who were admitted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital to condole with them and shouldered the cost of their medical treatment.

When contacted, the Bauchi state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ahmed Wakili, said the police was aware of the violence in Duguri and the state Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan has ordered for discreet investigation into the matter.