Atiku, Tinubu, Obi Demand Increased Security On Campaign Grounds

• The three Presidential campaign organizations demand security beef-up on their campaign grounds
• PDP pledge to continue its activities ahead of the 2023 election
• The US and The UK warn its people in Nigeria over terrorist attacks

The Presidential campaign organizations of the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and the Labour Party have demanded increased security on campaign grounds.

Despite the fact that the United States Mission and the British High Commission in Nigeria issued terror advisories on Sunday, the councils insisted on continuing with their protests.

The groups talked to The PUNCH on Monday on behalf of their presidential candidates, PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, APC’s Bola Tinubu, and LP’s Peter Obi. This comes as the police have committed to increasing staff on campaign grounds and tightening security around the country.

In security alerts, the United States and the United Kingdom warned its people in Nigeria about the possibility of terrorist strikes across the country, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.

The targets might include government buildings, houses of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, sporting events, transportation terminals, law enforcement institutions, and foreign organizations, according to the warnings.

However, in response to the news, the PDP pledged to continue its activities in readiness for the 2023 general elections. Kola Ologbondiyan, a PDP council spokesperson, urged the Federal Government with providing appropriate protection not only during campaign rallies but across the country.

He said, “We have no plan to suspend our campaigns because of this terror alert. We will continue to take our message to rescue our country to all Nigerians wherever they are. We are determined to win this election come 2023. So, suspending campaigns because of this is totally unnecessary.’’

When asked if the party need additional security at its campaign sites due to the terror alerts, the former PDP National Publicity Secretary responded, “We can’t ask for any extra protection, but it is incumbent on the Federal Government to provide security for all of us.” That we are members of the opposition does not stop them from protecting us.’’

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In another news, the Lagos State Police Command on Monday said it has commenced investigations into the attack on the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the state, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.

This is just as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress advised the PDP to look inward to identify those behind the attack. The campaign train was attacked by thugs who were reportedly armed with guns and other weapons at the Ikoga Junction, in the Badagry Local Government Area of the state.

The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hakeem Amode, in a statement on Sunday, had alleged that the thugs were sponsored by the APC.

He had said, “The attack led to injuries of several members of Jandor’s entourage and pressmen. As of the time of this press statement, one of the news reporters is in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital while those injured are been treated.

“The thugs that attack the campaign train were shouting APC while shooting guns and using dangerous weapons.”