By Sam Kayode
There was high tension in Maiduguri today as suspected thugs attacked the convoy of supporters of the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) before their official campaign in Borno state capital.
Some of the vehicles were pelted with stones and cutlasses while some of the supporters of PDP stalwarts who stormed Maiduguri for the campaign of their Presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, were wounded in the process.
Making the revelation to the mammoth crowd that gathered in the Ramat Square this afternoon, Senator Dino Melaye disclosed that146 cars were damaged by suspected “APC thugs” who were not happy that they dared to come to Maiduguri to campaign.
He told the crowd that 174 PDP supporters and passersby were hospitalized as a result of the torment of the attacks.
Displaying his bandaged hand to this reporter, one of the wounded, Mohammad Kachalla, said he was wounded by one of the stones used to pelt their vehicles when going to visit the Shehu of Borno.
He said that several others were wounded in the convoy when thugs from the Sbehuri ward of the metropolis started pelting them in an “unprovoked manner.
“I had to take cover with my wounded hands bleeding profusely so that they do not get my head. This is because it would be disastrous if they got my head like they did on some of our members.
“Most of them had dangerous weapons like long knives and cutlasses which they brandished to intimidate our visitors who came peacefully to campaign for our principal Atiku in the capital today.
” I did not see any of them with guns or rifles but most of them were armed with large stones which created huge impressions on some of the bullet proof jeeps of the advance parties as you can see from the pictures I gave you guys”.
Reacting to the attacks on Atiku’s convoy, the Chairman of APC in Borno state, Ali Dalori, said, “there was no incidence of attack by APC thugs on any convoy of the opposition parties in the state as alleged.”
He said that the allegations leveled by Dino Melaye who is the spokesman of the Atiku Campaign Organization that, APC thugs attacked the convoy of Atiku Abubakar along Shehuri ward after paying homage to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi was not completely true.
Dalori told newsmen that “I am disappointed by the allegations made by Dino Meleye that some APC thugs attacked Atiku’s convoy while in Maiduguri for their Presidential Campaign rally.
“We all know that, since Governor Babagana Zulum took over the mantle of political leadership of our party, he had baned all political thuggery across the state.
” Our ruling party is a law abiding party, and that was why we as government did not deny PDP venue for their rally as witnessed in some state,” said Dalori”
He swore that there was no PDP in Borno state but a rented crowd adding that if Dino Meleye lacked what to tell the people of the state to canverse for votes, he should desist from fabricating lies against his Party”.
Other sources from within the party however confirmed that the APC thugs actually attacked the convoy of the PDP but they did so in retaliation over a wrong done to them.
“If you get to Baban Cross now, you will discover that they pulled down all the postals of the APC. And they replaced it with fresh PDP postals of Jajeri and Atiku.
“That was a big wrong done to the party and that actually sparked outrage within the youth wing of the party because they are the ones that used to post these bills so they know where they kept them
“We tried our best to control the boys but it did not work out as most of them were already hunting for those responsible for that wrong to retaliate”, said the source who did not want to be named.
Reaction from the Police Hq
Also reacting to the dastardly incident, the police headquarters through its spokesman Shatambaya Mohammad described the alleged spate of clashes as a false and malicious attempt to undermine the peace of the state by the opposition PDP.
“There has been a fake news trending propagated by some mischievous elements across the social media that has attracted the attention of many Nigerians , alleging that the PDP Presidential candidate’s convoys was stoned in Borno on the 9th/11/2022 while holding a campaign rally in the state.
“The command wishes to state authoritatively that the news is not only fake but also false and a mischievous attempt by some unguided people to incite disturbance and distract the peace of Borno people and Nigerians at large.
“The campaign/rally was conducted successfully, as tight/adequate security coverage were in place throughout the period of the activity. The candidate and his party were accompanied to the Shehu’s Palace by the Police to pay a courtesy call to Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-amin El-kanemi, after which they were escorted until they departed the town.
“it is worthy to note that one person named Danladi Musa Abbas, 32 years old who attempted to disrupt the convoys along the airport road was arrested by the Police inside a church after a hot chase in an attempt to escape. He is under the command custody with the stone which is an exhibit.
“The commissioner of Police CP Abdu Umar is therefore calling on the attention of the general public to avoid spreading rumors and fake news that may disrupt the peaceful coexistence and incite disturbance, particularly as election is forthcoming.” said Shatambaya Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of police.
Campaign at Ramat Square
The PDP campaign was witnessed by thousands of supporters who cheered the Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar who was present with his vice presidential candidate
Speaking during the rally, vice presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, called on anyone who is tired of the hunger and suffering in the land to come out and vote for Atiku.
“I am calling on you to wake up and get your PVC to ensure that you no longer sit on the fence. I can assure you that Atiku is the only man that can take Nigeria out of the present hunger we are witnessing in the land.”
KEKE NAPEP disappears from street
Hundreds of commuters had to trek back home as a large chunk of tricycles also known as Keke NAPEP disappeared from the streets during the period of the campaign.
Borno PDP spokesman
Meanwhile spokesman of the PDP in Borno state Amos Adziba has confirmed that two people have died from injuries sustained from wounds during the attacks.
