The recent attack on the campaign train of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital has been described as an ominious signal ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Media reports confirmed that the attack by suspected political thugs, who pelted the convoy with stones and dangerous weapons caused bodily injuries to some people, including journalists and unwanton damages to many vehicles on the said date.
A socio-political group, South West Media Outreach for Atiku Abubakar, in a Press Release by its Coordinator, Mr. Kola Ilori, took a swipe at the unwarranted attack, describing it as sinister and irresponsible.
According to the South West Media Outreach, the attack on the Atiku Abubakar train, particularly on innocent journalists, who were on official assignment was a bad omen for democracy and socio-political development of the country.
It was widely reported that the attack on the convoy took place on its way to the venue of the campaign rally after paying homage to the Shehu of Borno in his palace.
According to him, it was strange that the Borno State Police Command denied the incident, inspite of the audio and visual evidence-based of the attack.
Although the Inspector General of Police has debunked the claims of his men in Borno State by instituting a panel to investigate the attack, which goes to show that there are dangers ahead of the 2023 elections.
“It is incumbent on the Police and other security agencies to brace up and ensure that campaigns are not marred by violence of any form”, the group warned.
The rush by the Borno State Police to deny events that was trending on social media has futher damaged the police as capable of neutrality in the coming elections.
He said, that “the signals from Borno State portends danger that should not be swept under the carpet, and this is why the outcome of intervention by the IGP should restore the confidence that the 2023 elections would be violence free”.
The group therefore commended the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for his “demonstrated statesmanship, as a man of peaceful disposition by urging his supporters in Borno State not to retaliate”.
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