Two feared killed as PDP, PRP supporters clash in Niger
From Abodunrin Beckley, Minna
TWO people are feared killed in Kantagora, Niger State after a clash between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the area.
The clash reportedly erupted during a visit by a PDP delegation to the Emir of Kantagora, Alhaji Saidu Mamaska to apologise for the violence that broke out at the local council elections held early this year.
Led by a local PDP leader, Alhaji Bawa Rijau, the delegation had visited the monarch to confer with him and possibly seek an end to the prevalent unhealthy political situation in the area.
While the team was at the Emirs' palace, a driver to one of the members of the delegation was said to have ventured
into the town where suspected supporters of PRP stoned his car, shattering part of the windshield.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver returned to the Emirs' palace where he reported his encounter with his assailants, which led to the PDP faithful mobilising for battle with the opposition in which two people were feared killed. Three cars were destroyed during the clash.
A source told The Guardian that the clash has left palpable tension in the area as several people, especially sympathisers of the PDP, have started moving to surrounding councils for safety.
Police Public Relations Officer Lawal Shinkafi confirmed the incident and said that anti-rio policemen had been dispatched to the area to restore normalcy.
The Elections Appellate Tribunal judgment delivered on the August 5, 2004 had nullified the chairmanship election and subsequent swearing-in of the PDP candidate alleged to have won in Kontagora Local Council, calling for fresh elections in the area.
But the state government is yet to comply with the court order directing that another election be conducted well over three months after it was made.
The PRP held a press conference last week, vowing not to give up the struggle over the fate of their candidate, Alhaji Haruna Buhari whom they claim won the elections when the results were counted, a decision allegedly over turned in favour of the PDP by the State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC).
The controversy over the elections led to widespread of violence, which left homes of PDP faithful, burnt and many flogged openly by the youths in the area.`
