From Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The Kaduna State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state are locked in buck passing over assassination attempt on a PDP Senator, Lawal Adamu Usman.
Senator Usman represents Kaduna Central at the Senate in the National Assembly.
The PDP in Kaduna State had strongly condemned the unfortunate assassination attempt on the life of Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, representing Kaduna Central senatorial district.
The State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Maria Dogo stated this in a statement on Friday that the disturbing incident occurred on January 1, 2025, while Senator Usman was inspecting ongoing constituency projects in Kaduna North LGA.
Maria Dogo stressed that the Kaduna State government’s inability to prevent killings, maimings, and kidnappings across the state has been alarming.
“The recent assassination attempt on Senator Usman highlights the government’s ineptitude in managing security and sets a worrisome tone for 2025.
“The PDP demands an immediate investigation into this matter, as well as the arrest and prosecution of the assailants and their sponsors. We also urge reinforced security measures for our elected representatives and their families.
“We emphasize that the PDP will not stand idly by while the lives of our elected representatives are threatened or taken, allegedly by the APC and its members. The ballot, not violence, is the only accepted means of transferring power.
“Instead of resorting to violence, the APC-led government and its members should focus on implementing meaningful initiatives and programmes in the senatorial zone, earning the party goodwill among the people.
“We call on our party members and all well-meaning citizens of the Kaduna Central senatorial zone to remain calm and peaceful while we pursue all legal means to bring those responsible for the attempt on Senator Usman’s life to justice.
“As our state chairman noted in his New Year Message, the PDP is committed to defending democracy in Kaduna State, ensuring the people’s voices are heard.”
In a sharp reaction, the APC urged the PDP) to desist from tarnishing its reputation with unverified claims and unfounded propaganda.
A statement by the APC State Secretary, Alhaji Yahaya Baba Pate, on Friday, advised the PDP to ‘’strive to fulfill its role as a constructive opposition party.’’
The PDP had earlier accused APC of complicity in the alleged murder attempt, which the ruling party has condemned, describing it as an unfounded accusation which ‘’were both false and absurd.’’
According to APC, the Kaduna Police Command had ‘’ revealed that Senator Lawal Adamu Usman has neither filed a formal complaint nor cooperated with ongoing investigations.’’
‘’Despite repeated attempts by the police to reach him, he remains unresponsive. It is, therefore, baffling how the PDP arrived at its baseless conclusion implicating the APC in this alleged incident,’’ the party argued.
The statement further called on Senator Usman and the PDP to cooperate fully with the police investigation.
‘’Failure to do so would lend credence to suspicions that the alleged assassination attempt is nothing more than a fabrication aimed at maligning the APC, creating unnecessary tension, and derailing the peace and progress currently enjoyed in Kaduna State.
‘’The APC strongly suspects that certain conflict entrepreneurs are using the PDP to disrupt the remarkable strides achieved under the peace initiatives of Senator Uba Sani’s people-focused and inclusive administration,’’ the statement added.
The ruling party noted that ‘’the PDP in Kaduna State has developed a troubling reputation for issuing ill-conceived and patently false statements, undermining the seriousness of public discourse.
‘’This reckless behavior highlights the party’s deteriorating standards, with critical matters being handled without due diligence or proper scrutiny,’’ the party maintained.
While noting that efforts to disrupt the Government will not succeed, the statement added that ‘’Kaduna State remains on a path of growth and stability, and no amount of false narratives or orchestrated incidents will derail this progress.’’
APC maintained that the Senator Uba Sani administration ‘’remains firmly focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Kaduna State in an atmosphere of peace and stability.’’
‘’As our governor, Senator Uba Sani, has declared, 2025 is our Year of Fulfilment. We will not be distracted by baseless allegations or needless provocations,’’ it added.
