There was tension in Gombe in the early hours of Tuesday over the demolition of the office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Alhaji Mohammed Jibrin Barde by Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA).
Police operatives also arrested Chika Udenkwo of AIT and Atabor of Blue Print during the demolition exercise.
A deployment of policemen from the Special Weapon and Tactical Team (SWAT) arrived at the campaign office of Barde located opposite Presidential Lodge GRA Gombe with GOSUPDA officials and a bulldozer tractor to demolish the structure GOSUPDA described as illegal.
GOSUPDA Director, Bitrus Bilala, said the structure was in violation of section 27 of GOSUPDA law 2011.
“This structure in question negates the necessary security required allowed around that premises where Presidential Lodge is located. The location of that structure is along the road to the Government House, as the Governor drives in and drives out, he will pass through there so it is not safe, security wise,” he said.
But Barde, addressing journalists at the scene of the demolition, condemned the act describing it as undemocratic and autocratic similar to the era of military rule.
He said GOSUPDA Director led thugs, police and All Progressive Congress (APC) members to demolish his office.
“Suddenly they ran over us and started shooting tear gas and live ammunition at me. What you have seen today is reminiscence of what we all know about military era.
‘’Dictatorial tendencies, centralization and self aggrandizement by an individual cannot quench or suppressed the voice of the majority,” he said.
Barde said as a law-abiding person, he will continue to pursue the matter in the law court and urges his supporters to remain law abiding in the face of intimidation.
He said as long as politicians refuse to rise in defense of democracy, the country will continue to have crises.
