The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised alarm over the attempted attack on its presidential candidate in the just concluded general election Alhaji Atiku Abubakar after the police in Adamawa State, North-east Nigeria arrested four people suspected to be members of Boko Haram on Sunday.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba on Monday that ‘by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot has 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).’
While demanding a comprehensive investigation, the PDP believes that the intent of the evil attack on the former Vice President was not only to silence Alhaji Atiku but cause confusion and chaos in the polity.
“Our Party believes the sponsors of this evil plot intend to silence our Presidential Candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians, and cause chaos, confusion, and anarchy in the polity.
The PDP asks, if 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) about the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a Candidate in a Presidential election can be declared the 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 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 well-being of our nation.
The Federal Government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly acts and their sponsors are brought to book. This particular investigation is important to the country because of the scope and dimension of the attempted attack.
The PDP also calls on security agencies to tighten security around Atiku Abubakar and members of his family at this critical time in our democratic process.
Our Party commends the collaborative effort of the vigilant people of Yola, Adamawa State, and security agencies in foiling the attack while urging Nigerians to remain calm and alert as the authorities commence an investigation to fish out those behind this evil plot.”
The Atiku Media Office had earlier alerted Nigerians on the foiled terrorist attack on the residence of Alhaji Atiku and other sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa State disclosing that the culprits have been handed over to the police.
“We wish to alert the Nigerian public that at about 9:44 p.m. on Sunday, 23 July 2023, a man seeking to confirm the residence of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence.
“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.
“The suspect also informed the police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested too, intended to attack organizations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.
All four suspects have been handed over to military authorities.
“We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation.
“We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief.”
