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
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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