Politics
Kaduna Explosions: Buhari Alleges Assassination Attempt …Jonathan, PDP Thank God For Sparing Buhari, Bauchi
A former Head of State
and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammed Buhari (rtd) has alleged that one of the two explosions that ripped through parts of Kaduna, in Kaduna State on Wednesday was meant to eliminate him.
At least 70 people were killed in the two explosions. The first explosion targeted a popular Islamic cleric, Dahiru Bauchi, while the second targeted Buhari.
Both men, however, escaped unhurt in the blasts that forced the Kaduna State Government to impose a 24- hour curfew on the city. But dozens of people were injured and over 50 cars damaged in the two incidents that occurred within two hours interval, one at the busy Alkali Road and another at the Kano area of the city, near the 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army.
The State police command put the death toll at 40, while the National Information Centre, said 14 people were injured. Among the injured were Buhari’s body guards and an aide.
While Bauchi’s convoy was attacked by a lone bomber who, according to eyewitness, rode on a motorbike and followed the cleric’s convoy, after delivering a Ramadan lecture (Tafsir) at the Murtala Square, Buhari’s convoy was attacked two hours later at about 2.30pm at the Kawo area of Kaduna on his way to his home town, Daura in Katsina State.
Buhari’s Toyota Prado Jeep was particularly hit along with other cars in his convoy, by a suspected bomber who made many unsuccessful attempts to overtake Buhari’s security car and in the process detonated the explosives at his convoy.
Buhari, in a statement he personally signed, alleged an attempt to assassinate him.
He said he was on his way to Daura in Katsina State when the bomber attacked his convoy at about 2.30 pm, adding that his security details were affected by the blasts, but “I came out unhurt”.
The statement read, “I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today (Wednesday) at about 2.30 pm on my way to Daura.
“The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt came from a fast moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car, but was blocked by an escort vehicle.
“We reached the market area of Kano where he took advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram my car and instantly detonated the bomb which destroyed all the three cars in our convoy.
“Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle, I saw many dead bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily business who became victims of a mass murder.
“Thank God for His Mercy, I came out unhurt, but with three of my security aides sustaining minor injuries. They have since been treated in a hospital and discharged”.
However, President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the bombings and thanked God for sparing Buhari and Bauchi’s lives, while also extended condolences to the families of those who were killed by the bomb blasts.
President Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati denounced the “dastardly targeting of the prominent political and religious leaders by terrorists and enemies of the nation in an odious attempt to inflame passions and exacerbate disquiet, fear, insecurity and sectional divisions in the country”.
He said he had directed the police and other security agencies to take all necessary actions to apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that it was now apparent that terrorists were capable of attacking anybody in the country.
The PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, condemned the attacks, describing them as dastardly and unfortunate.
The party joined other well meaning Nigerians in mourning the dead and thanking God for saving the lives of Gen. Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi whose convoys were affected in the incidents.
Boye Salau
Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya (middle), cutting the tape to commission APC Secretariat in Okrika. With him are Chairman, CTC, Okrika Local Government Area, Dr Godknows Tam George (left), State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker and APC leader in Okrika, Mr D. D. Alabere (first right). Photo: Egberi A. Sampson
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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