POLITICS
PDP Raises the Alarm Over Attempted Attack on Atiku Abubakar
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it was alarmed by the reported foiled terrorist attack on its Presidential Candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa State.
The PDP a in statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon.
Debo Ologunagba, on Monday insisted that by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot had the paw marks of a sponsored attempt on the life of Atiku Abubakar, ostensibly by forces who are unsettled by his bid to retrieve his mandate at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).It said it believed that the intent of the sponsors of the evil plot was to silence its Presidential Candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians and cause chaos, confusion and anarchy in the polity.
It will be recalled that the Police in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, arrested four Boko Haram members at Atiku Abubakar’s residence on Sunday night.
The Atiku Office in Yola, which confirmed this, said the arrest followed a man seeking to confirm the residence of the former Vice-president in the town.
The statement said the suspect identified himself as a 29-year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State.
“The man who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar was later handed over to the police.
“Upon further interrogation by the Police, the suspect identified himself as a 29 year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State” it said.
It said the suspect also informed the Police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested too, intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.
“The PDP asks, is this foiled attack on Atiku Abubakar and sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa connected to the recent APC’s threats of chaos and anarchy in the country, if the PEPC upholds the clear provisions of Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) with regard to the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a Candidate in a Presidential election can be declared winner?
“Could it also be a plan to orchestrate a sense of insecurity in the country, starting in Adamawa State, the home State of our Presidential Candidate so as to justify the imposition of a State of Emergency in Adamawa State as a precursor to a declaration of a State of Emergency throughout the country?
“Our Party charges the Inspector General of Police to take the lead provided by the confession of the assailants to track down their sponsors and bring them to book in the interest of the security, unity and wellbeing of our nation,” Ologunagba said.
He said the Federal Government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act and their sponsors were brought to book, adding that this particular investigation was important to the country because of the scope and dimension of the attempted attack.
He called on security agencies to tighten security around Atiku Abubakar and members of his family at this critical time of the nation’s democratic process.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has demanded a retraction of election rigging allegation made against him by the chairperson of Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi.
Aziegbemi had in a statement on Sept. 14, accused the Federal Government of planning to rig the upcoming Edo Governorship Election, using Ribadu and the Department of State Service (DSS).
He claimed that Ribadu had released 2 million U.
S Dollars to the APC governorship candidate in the election as part of the plot.In reaction to the allegation, Ribadu’s lawyers, Charles Musa & Co, described the allegation as “totally false” and demanded immediate retraction.
“We write on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (our Client), in response to your press statement titled “Edo 2024: presidency’s move to interfere, manipulate guber poll using DSS, NSA uncovered.”
“The publication falsely alleges, inter alia, that, “$2 million was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies,” the letter said.
The lawyers said the malicious and libelous statement had brought their client into public disdain and odium.
According to them, the portrayal of their client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo, is entirely false and damaging to his reputation.
“As a renowned career police officer and pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our Client has consistently demonstrated integrity and a commitment to fighting corruption.
“It is inconceivable that he would be involved in such odious acts.
“Given the extensive damage your false and baseless allegations have caused our client, we demand a written apology to our Client and a full retraction of the publication in its entirety.
“We also demand a publication of the retraction in a full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers; 10 reputable and well-read online news sites; seven national and international television stations, and 10 radio channels with national and international reach,” they said.
The lawyers also demanded payment of N10 billion as damages for reputational and other injuries.
“Take notice that if our demands are not met within seven days, we shall proceed with our Client’s further instructions, including taking legal action to enforce his rights,” they added. (NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has described the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State as a true representation of the aspirations of the people of the state, promising to use his contacts and cultural ties with the people of Edo State to ensure the victory of the party and its candidate in the Edo governorship election.
Ododo made the declaration at the APC youth rally in Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area at the weekend.
The Kogi State Governor who was received by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Phillip Shaibu promised to galvanize support among the large population of youth and women in the area for the victory of the APC candidate in the September 21 governorship election.
He appealed to the people of Akoko-Edo to shun all acts of violence but to resist intimidation by defending their votes for the APC in the election.
He assured the people that the APC Governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo will replicate the outstanding performance of the past APC leadership in the state led by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, stressing that the APC and its governorship candidate will deliver on their campaign promises by according topmost priority to the welfare of the people as currently being exemplified in Kogi State under his leadership.
Ododo who spoke in English and Ebira languages commended the people of Akoko-Edo for their peaceful conduct in the course of the campaign and assured that their support will be rewarded by the APC and its governorship candidate once the party emerges victorious in the September 21 governorship election.
Ododo has since arrived in Benin City, the Edo state capital ahead of the grand finale of the APC governorship campaign rally on Saturday where he is expected to address the rally along with other leaders of the party in the final push for the party’s victory in the Edo state governorship election.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed profound sadness over the death of Joseph Haruna Duza, the member representing Munya State Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence.
In a condolence message statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Bago described the passing of the lawmaker as both shocking and a significant loss, not only to the people of Munya but to the entire state.
Bago highlighted Duza’s invaluable contributions and active role in combating insecurity within the state, as well as his unwavering dedication to its growth and development.
The Governor emphasised that only God can fill the void left by Duza’s demise.
Bago extended his heartfelt condolences to the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barr. AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji, other members of the 10th State Assembly, the immediate and extended family of the deceased, and the people of Munya Local Government.
He urged them to accept Duza’s death as an act of God.
Bago prayed for the repose of Duza’s soul and for comfort for all those affected by this loss.
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