The All Progressive Congress APC had accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State of sponsoring thugs that attacked supporters at its Governorship candidate Saddique Abubakar campaign rally in Duguri Alkaleri Local government area of the state.
Condemning the attack, the APC said it exposed the desperation of the PDP which is overwhelmed by the continuing popularity of the APC and its Governorship candidate, Abubakar, and has now resorted to violence.
The allegation was made by the Director Media and Publicity of the APC Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Salisu Barau in a press briefing held at the NUJ Secretariat, Bauchi, on Thursday.
“AIr Marshal Saddique Abubakar’s convoy was attacked last night (March 8,2023) by armed thugs in Duguri, Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir’s town during which three persons in our team were shot and wounded,” Barau said.
“This is not the first time that our candidate cane under gun attacks by hoodlums suspected to be sponsored by the PDP Government in Bauchi.State.
“For instance, last month , two similar attempts were made on the life of the Air Marshal at Akuyam, the home village of PDP State Chairman when the PDP visited the area on campaign”
Barau said the governor at different fora has openly made public outbursts ” that he was going to show his true colour to the APC leaders who are plotting his defeat, including those in Abuja”
Barau said the governor’s utterances “are clear manifestation of their negative plans against the APC candidate”
He believed that the PDP in the state has already lost the forthcoming Governorship elections, “hence the desperation exhibited in handling all matters concerning the APC and all its candidates, particularly Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar”
He accused the governor of inciting youth with his public addresses are most of his campaign tours, “notably at Dass where he publicly charged the supporters to be violent against whosoever constitute a threat to his re-election bid”
The Media Campaign director said since the emergence of Abubakar as the party’s gubernatorial candidate, the APC camp in the state has made frantic efforts to resist “well-calculated provocation, evil machinations and derogatory remarks of the ruling PDP in order to maintain peace and healthy politicking in the state”
He however assured that despite the provocation, the APC in the state would not descend low but continue to exhibit tolerance and gentlemanly disposition as a mark of respect for the yearnings and aspiration of the people.of the state”
Barau accused the PDP Government of restoring to dirty politics because “their tine is off owing to unfulfilled promises and apparent failure of Governor Bala Mohammed in nearly four years”
He said the APC candidate out of humanity and kindness visited the victims of the latest attack at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) where he consoled with them and shouldered their medical treatment.
“We categorically say NO to dirty politics and violence and call on our people of Bauchi State to maintain peace and stay focus,” he said.
“We wish to use this opportunity to
tell the world that we are aware the PDP government’s nefarious activities and desperation to cling to power at all costs by inducing electoral officers, manipulations and violence, which we are ever ready to resist without apology”