Politics
JUST IN: Hoodlums invade Atiku rally, supporters injured
Hoodlums invaded Atiku’s presidential rally in Gombe with at least three people hurt in varying degrees, in a fight on Monday between the Kalare Boys, a local gang, and supporters of Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
As they were attacked along Pantami Stadium Road, three vehicles—a bus, a sedan, and a Keke NAPEP—were destroyed. Usman Muritala, the state’s Peoples Democratic Party publicity secretary, claimed he was unaware because he was not involved in the planning of the campaign.
“I was not on the podium and was only there as an official of the party so I sat like every other person to watch the whole show. There is a division in the party, a very big one,” he said.
Trouble started after Abubakar and his entourage departed Pantami Stadium through Gate Number Two for Bauchi.
Innocent party supporters were ambushed by the Kalare lads, who were equipped with cutlasses, swords, clubs, and other weapons as they made their way to their various homes.
To provide security for fans who were rushing back into the stadium for safety, the police, who were manning Gate Number One of the stadium, quickly dispersed a detachment of armed policemen to the second gate.
As the Kalare boys blocked the road to Pantami Market and Government House and began attacking bystanders, many supporters were left stranded at the stadium while they awaited the police to restore calm and order.
We earlier reported that Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, made a pledge to eradicate Boko Haram extremists from Nigeria if elected president of Nigeria Gombe State.
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This comes as Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, the head of the PDP’s presidential campaign council, criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the nation’s economic collapse and rising insecurity.
Atiku claimed to resuscitate the nearly-defunct Dadin Kowa Dam in the state for the purposes of enhancing irrigation facilities for agricultural development and electricity. He also promised to empower businesses in the state and increase employment possibilities for youngsters.
The former vice president, whose speech drew cheers, pledged to expand the road system and revive Abubakar Tafawa Belewa’s legacy because the majority of the audience members were not present when the late prime minister lived.
Speaking in both Hausa and English languages, Atiku said, “Let me reiterate the promises we made if, by the grace of God, you supported the PDP in the presidential election, we promised to empower your to expand so that they can expand their businesses for our youths
“We also promised you that the Dadin Kowa Dam, which was built by the PDP to provide electricity and irrigation is activated for electricity and irrigation is provided if you support the government of the PDP.
“We will make sure that all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, with Bauchi, with Yobe all these roads are reconstructed for the purposes of enhancing trade and commerce.