The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the foiled attack on its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Recall that four suspected Boko Haram members were arrested on Sunday in Yola, Adamawa State, for planning to attack the former Vice President and other sensitive locations in the city.
The suspects were apprehended by security operatives at Atiku’s residence in Yola.
One of the suspects, Jubrila Mohammed, 29, confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State. He said that he and his colleagues intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku and some other sensitive locations in Yola.
Reacting, the PDP said in a press release on Monday that the attack had the hallmarks of a “sponsored attempt” to silence Atiku and cause chaos in the country.
The party said it believed that the attack was connected to the recent threats of chaos and anarchy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the Presidential Election Petition Court (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.
The PDP called on 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.
The party also called on security agencies to tighten security around Atiku and members of his family.
The PDP commended the collaborative effort of the vigilant people of Yola, Adamawa State and security agencies in foiling the attack.
The party urged Nigerians to remain calm and alert as the authorities commence investigation to fish out those behind the evil plot.
The full statement reads:
July 24, 2023
Press Statement
PDP Raises Alarm Over Attempted Attack on Atiku Abubakar
…Demands Comprehensive Investigation
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is 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 insists that by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot has the pawmarks 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).
Our Party believes that the intent of the sponsors of this evil plot is to silence our Presidential Candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians and cause chaos, confusion and anarchy in the polity.
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.
The Federal Government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly act 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 investigation to fish out those behind this evil plot.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
