The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a comprehensive inquest into the botched attempt on the life of its Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Reports earlier on Monday indicated that four persons said to be agents of the deadly Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram, were apprehended while plotting to execute a bomb attack on Atiku at his home in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
The suspects were also said to have included the American University of Nigeria in Yola on the list of their targets.
Calling for a detailed investigation into the plot, the party said it was alarmed by the reported foiled terrorist attack on Atiku, a former Vice President of the Federal Republic.
The PDP said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, that “by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot has the paw marks 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 sponsors of this evil plot intend 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 explicit 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 the 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, 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 our nation’s security, unity and wellbeing.
“The Federal Government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and, indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly acts 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 family members 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.”
