The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday warned that the incessant incidences of alleged state- sponsored political violence in Kaduna, Kano, Kogi and other states was capable of inviting a military coup which would undermine the nation’s democracy.

Senator Ahmed Salau Ogembe, representing Kogi Central Senatorial district while narrating his ordeal in the hands of sponsored political thugs during an empowerment programme he organized for his constituents, accused the Nigeria Police of complacency, adding that political violence, kidnappings, killings and assassinations had become a norm in the state and called on the Senate to intervene before things got out of hand.

“The Nigeria Police Force Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officers in Okene, Okehi and Adani which are Local Government Areas under Kogi Central Senatorial district, seem to be under undue influence and strong control of the local government’s Sole Administrator.

“This political intimidation and violence has seemingly increased because of the 2019 general elections, which are less than a year away,” Senator Ogembe said.

He further alleged that many of his supporters who took part in the empowerment programme were beaten mercilessly while several others were kidnapped and later dumped in bushes and uncompleted buildings.

Reacting, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu highlighted how political violence had prevented Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso and Shehu Sani from visiting Kaduna State, talkless of organizing meetings there.

Ekweremadu said: “In Kaduna, Shehu Sani cannot organize a meeting, and we are talking of democracy. And somebody says this democracy is going to continue this way. It is not. People are holding meetings everyday on how to deal with each and every one of us here.

“There is need for the international community to know this because they helped restore democracy to Nigeria. Some people are trying to truncate that entire democracy. We are now second-class citizens, not just in Africa but also in West Africa.”

He added: “The problem in Nigeria is that now our democracy is receding and the international community needs to know this. Who says that the army cannot take over in Nigeria? It is possible. So let us not joke with our democracy, especially with the way things are going.”

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki who presided over the session said he believed that the happenings in Kogi State were becoming a threat to the nation’s democracy and assured that with the setting up of an investigative committee, the Upper Chamber will unravel the immediate and remote causes of the violence in the affected states.