I’ve no hand in Tuesday’s attack in Ojoku – Sen. Rafiu

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

The senator representing Kwara South at the National assembly and the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) for the district, Dr Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim has refuted reports alleging that he masterminded Tuesday night’s violent attack by the supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC on his community, Ojoku, Oyun Local Government Area. It was gathered that the clash occurred between the supporters of both parties when the APC Kwara South senatorial candidate, Lola Ashiru, visited the palace of Olojoku of Ojoku. The APC accused Senator Rafiu Ibrahim of masterminding the attack, which it said was aimed at assassinating its senatorial candidate, Ashiru. But in a statement he personally signed, Senator Rafiu denied any involvement in the attack, stressing that he could not have instigated violence in his hometown.
He said those linking him to the attack were only doing so to paint him in bad light and pitch him against the people of Ojoku and Offa, ahead of Saturday’s national assembly elections. The lawmaker explained that he had been contesting against Lola Ashiru for years and has never had any issue with him. “I and Arch. Lola Ashiru belong to opposing political camps and have been contesting against each other for years, and I have never had any issue with him,” he said. He added that he enjoyed a cordial relationship with prominent members of Ashiru’s campaign team such as Hon. Saheed Popoola and Mr Femi White, and could not have masterminded an attack against any of them. Senator Rafiu noted that he does not view election as a do or die affair and that he has never been known for violence. “Before and after election, Arch Lola Ashiru remains my big brother from Ibolo land,” he added.
The lawmaker sympathized with the victims of the attack and the entire Ojoku community, while calling on police to fish out perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice. He also called on supporters of both camps to eschew violence and embrace peace, noting that “irrespective of party affiliations, we are all brothers and sisters and must join hands together to work for the progress and development of Kwara South and Kwara in general.