Atiku commends security agencies for foiling plot to disrupt campaign rally in Kaduna

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has praised the security agencies in Kaduna for foiling an attempt to cause violence at his rally on Monday.

The former Vice President and his campaign team have been in Kaduna State since weekend to meet various leaders and staged a big rally on Monday having started his campaign in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State some days ago.

After the rally, Atiku posted on his social media handles that his Kaduna rally was successful despite attempt by those he didn’t name to forment trouble.

“I wish to commend the efforts of security agents and our supporters in foiling the attempt of agents of anti-democratic forces to disrupt the Kaduna PDP campaign. Notwithstanding, the rally marked a huge turnout and was a huge success,” he said.

While the rally was ongoing, Atiku has earlier in the morning put out a statement of the report of attacks on his supporters.

“I have just received emergency reports of attacks on PDP supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago. I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns, just as with the elections themselves, are kept free, fair and safe,” he had said.

His spokesperson, Paul Ibe made a similar allegation of sponsored attack in his own social media post where he wrote: “Suspected thugs deployed to disrupt PDP presidential campaign rally at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna.”

Ibe also accused Kaduna State government of denying the Atiku and PDP campaign teams the use of a stadium in the state and alleged that the campaign organisation of Atiku was forced to use the Ranchers Bees Stadium.

PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, Delta State Governor and Atiku’s running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP leaders across the country attended the rally where they called on Nigerians to vote for their party.