PDP raises alarm over attempted attack on Atiku by Boko Haram terrorists

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is alarmed by the reported foiled terrorist attack on its presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and other sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa State.

The PDP in a statement issued on Monday insisted 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).

The statement from the PDP reads in part, “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.”

The police in Adamawa had on Thursday confirmed the arrest of two suspected Boko Haram insurgents for allegedly planning to attack the residence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Yola.

One of the suspects was arrested by the security detail attached to Abubakar’s house while the other was picked up at a different location in the state capital.

”One of the suspects, a 29-year-old man, confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno.

”He was arrested at the gate of Abubakar’s residence while trying to carry out the attack at about 9 p.m. on Sunday.

”They said they were sent to study the house, institutions, some sensitive places for an attack,” SP Suleiman Nguroje confirmed.