By Augustine Akhilomen

…As PDP Raises Alarm Over Attempted Attack On Atiku

Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and former Rivers governor, Nyesome Wike of planning to use dubious means to cosy up to judges in a bid to influence the outcome of the Presidential election petition tribunal.

Shaibu made this known via a statement on Monday evening, where he cited an event the duo were seen attending
a memorial service hosted by the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem that they were not invited.

He also noted that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, made a Freudian slip a few months ago when he claimed he was happy that Governor Makinde was a member of the renegade governors known as the G5.


He said: “Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State as the host governor, was invited for the programme, but Wike and Makinde were gatecrashers at that event. The reason is not far-fetched. They have continued to cosy up to judges just to impress their paymaster.

“Unfortunately, the CJN, Justice Ariwoola, has also failed to live above suspicion. He was in Rivers State ahead of the election, where he said he was happy that Governor Makinde was a member of G5. Then, at the commissioning of the Oyo Governor’s lodge in Abuja on May 25, the CJN once again was the special guest of Governor Makinde.

“Today, there are rumours that the next attorney-general will be a kinsman of the CJN as part of efforts to manipulate the outcome of the election petition tribunal. While this has not been proven, the fact remains that the CJN has put himself in a position where his integrity is constantly questioned.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday raises the alarm over what it called a foiled terrorist attack on its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar at his Yola residence by gunmen now in the custody of the Nigerian Police, Adamawa State Command.

A man, Jubrila Mohammed, said to be a member of the Boko Haram sect was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday having confessed to the Police that he was in town with three others to attack organizations linked to Atiku Abubakar in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

The party in a statement issued by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba on Monday in Abuja, noted 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.”

The statement further read, “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 All Progressives Congress’ 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?

It further charges the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, 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 the nation.

“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 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,” it added