The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of mobilizing hoodlums to attack his convoy in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Wednesday.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, noted that hoodlums wielding the flag of the APC attacked the convoy of vehicles conveying dignitaries to Ramat Square, the venue of the rally.
“It is rather unfortunate that the APC in Borno State mobilized some of its members to attack the convoy carrying dignitaries who had earlier paid a courtesy visit at the Shehu of Borno palace to the venue of the rally.
“While it is well understood that such barbaric behaviour is typical of the APC, it must be noted that, this time around, it is specifically the last kick of a dying horse.
“The APC, apparently overwhelmed by the large turn of supporters to greet our presidential candidate, resorted to anti-democratic actions to scare the crowd away from the rally.
“It is a similar pattern to what happened during our rally in Kaduna State and it is important to call the attention of all stakeholders in peaceful elections in Nigeria to the dangerous actions being undertaken by the APC to disrupt our rallies, especially in the North,” Ibe said.
The spokesperson of the PDP presidential campaign, Dino Melaye, had said 74 persons were injured in the attack.
Melaye added that several vehicles were vandalised by the hoodlums.
Melaye, who accused the APC of being responsible for the attack, said the move was to stop the opposition party’s campaign in Borno State.
He stated that the thugs attacked the convoy of the former Vice President after leaving the palace of Shehu of Borno State with stones, sticks, and machetes.
“They deployed their thugs to attack our convoys with stones, sticks, machetes as we left the Shehu’s Palace to come to the Ramat Square, all in an attempt to stop our rally.
“But we want to assure them that nobody can stop us,” the former senator said.
During his address, Atiku told the gathering that if elected president in the election next year, he will ensure that the problem of insecurity is properly addressed, as well as bringing activities at the Lake Chad Basin back to life and continue with the exploration of crude oil in Borno State.
“There are three major issues that are important to everyone in Borno State. The most important is that we must return this state to the true meaning of its title as the ‘Home of Peace’. Therefore, my major agenda as far as Borno is concerned is to deal decisively with insecurity and return peace to this state and everywhere else.
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“Secondly, I know that there has been an abandonment of activities around the Lake Chad Basin and this comes with attendant problems of people losing their means of livelihood. So, I am going to provide a sufficient amount of resources in both security and infrastructure that will guarantee the safety of lives and property around the Lake Chad Basin.
“Thirdly, given the enormity of security challenges, the business of crude oil exploration in this state has been put on hold. I will activate the necessary machinery that will ensure that crude oil fields in Borno State are explored, which will in turn make this state more economically viable,” Atiku stated.
The presidential flag bearer thanked supporters of the PDP for attending the rally.
The campaign, which was held at the Ramat Square, was attended by a large crowd and many notable leaders of the PDP.
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