Atiku, Saraki Condemn Kaduna Attack, Say Its Undemocratic

Following the attack on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s presidential campaign mega rally in Kaduna yesterday, Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate and former Senate President,  Bukola Saraki, have condemned the act, describing it as undemocratic.

Naija News reports that Atiku said the attack was a direct attempt to suppress the legitimate campaigns of the party in the state.

The former vice president in a statement signed by himself said, “I have just received emergency reports of attacks on PDP supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the peace accord that all parties signed just a few weeks ago.

“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns, just as with the elections themselves, are kept free, fair and safe.”

The PDP presidential hopeful had earlier condemned a similar act of attack in Zamfara state which led to the death of a PDP member.

According to him, both attacks were attempts to scuttle the lawful right of Nigerians to assemble peacefully and a direct attempt to suppress the legitimate campaigns of the PDP in the states.

Similarly, the immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who also condemned the attack, likened the act to a return to the dark days of politics in Nigeria, which he believed had become a thing of the past.

Naija News gathered that Saraki, in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu from his media office, said the attack was not just a threat to the nation’s democracy but an indication that some elements were still bent on sabotaging and undermining the success of next year’s general elections.

The former governor of Kwara State remarked that “this sad development is a big setback for our democracy. It represents a slap on the face of all Nigerians. It made a mess of all the efforts of the eminent men and women who constitute the National Peace Committee which just recently got all leading presidential candidates, their party chieftains, and spokesmen to sign an accord to promote peace and unity before, during, and after the elections.

“Both the sponsors and perpetrators of these criminal acts should be treated as top enemies of the state. They should be exposed and made to face the wrath of the law in such a manner that others who harbour this evil intent will take this case as a big deterrence.”

Meanwhile, the PDP had alleged that the attacks were being sponsored by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

The party, in a statement by its spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, noted that “the attack today by the APC must give well-meaning Nigerians concern as some reports alleged that the vicious assault on the PDP presidential campaign was spearheaded by the APC governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

“The APC is intimidated by Atiku Abubakar’s popularity and acceptance among the majority of Nigerians following their confidence in Atiku Abubakar’s practical experience, record, capacity, broad-mindedness, Pan-Nigerianism and willpower to unite our nation, revamp our devastated economy and guarantee the security of lives and property in our country.”

“In any case, our party is undeterred by such cowardly attack as Nigerians are already connected with our issue-based campaign and Atiku Abubakar’s message of hope which is already resonating throughout the nooks and crannies of our country,’’ Ologunagba stated.

The party also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to caution his party members, and as well guarantee security for a free, fair and credible electoral process in our country.

Following the PDP’s allegations, the Kaduna state APC secretary, Yahaya Baba-Pate, has responded that the APC in Kaduna is not known for thuggery, as it strictly prohibits violence.

“APC is a peaceful party in Kaduna State and our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu is in Kaduna we have been engaged with activities at the Arewa House with all the party leadership. We don’t know who disrupted or attacked their campaign rally.

“We’ve done well and we are confident that the electorates in Kaduna State are with us. We don’t have to engage in thuggery to win our elections,” Baba-Pate said.