Senator Ogembe says PDP members in Kogi are being harassed

Senator Ahmed Ogembe (PDP-Kogi Central) on Tuesday called on the federal government to address what he described as the incessant harassment and intimidation of members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State.

Ogembe was speaking against the backdrop of last weekend's disruption of his multi-million naira empowerment programme by suspected political thugs, at Ageva along the Okene-Ogori-Magongo road.

He said the development was "becoming unbearable" and called for urgent actions before things degenerate.

Ogembe said it was worrisome that his empowerment programme was again disrupted and empowerment materials vandalised despite all assurances from the police in terms provision of security.

"Before we embarked on the programme, we applied and got approval from the Inspector General of police (IGP) to give us security and we also notified the Commissioner of Police in the state.

"We also sent letters to the Commissioner, the area Commander and the DPO and we have the acknowledgements. We discussed on phone and they assured us they will provide enough security.

"I only brought empowerment to my people to make sure I shared the materials so that everybody can leave with their own items but they (thugs) came to disorganize the programme and they started stealing and vandalizing the materials", he said.

The senator, who alleged that the state government was conniving with the police and the thugs to intimidate members of the opposition, called on the federal government to stop the "dangerous trend."

He said PDP members and his supporters in the Central senatorial district are often harassed and their houses attacked each time he comes home to hold programme for them.

Ogembe wondered what would happen by the time the ban on political activities was lifted, adding, "Are they saying we must go and get permission from the governor before we can hold rally? It has never happened."