Buhari’s helicopter stoned in Kano; PDP condemns attack, fingers Tinubu, Ganduje 

The youths who were wielding sticks and other cudgels and throwing stones at the President’s helicopter, were however dispersed by security agents who fired shots in the air to scare them away.

In a swift reaction, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the incident ‘in the strongest terms’ and alleged that the protests must have been sponsored by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The PDP, in a statement by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, its National Publicity Secretary, said: “This organized attack on the person of the President is outrightly treasonable and a sacrilegious assault on our national sovereignty which must be condemned by all.

“Our Party is alarmed that this attack is part of APC Presidential Candidate’s alleged plot to undermine the Presidency, cause confusion, trigger violence in the country, disrupt the conduct of the 2023 general elections and derail our democracy; having realized that he cannot win in a peaceful, free and fair electoral process.

“The PDP invites Nigerians to note how Governor Abdullahi Ganduje attempted to abridge President Buhari’s movement and even tried to stop him from visiting Kano State.

“More disquieting is the fact that the APC Presidential Campaign sought to humiliate and harm President Buhari, while performing his official duties in Kano.

“It should be noted that the APC Presidential Candidate has been displaying open aversion and making inciting statements against President Buhari since Mr. President’s declaration, in line with democratic best practice all over the world, that Nigerians should freely vote for any candidate and Party of their choice in the 2023 general elections.

“The apparent frustration of Asiwaju Tinubu to resort to encourage or condone violence is fueled by his entitlement mentality, that it is his turn to be President, despite his numerous ineligibility and disability baggage.

“Nigerians are reminded about Asiwaju Tinubu’s infamous statement in London where he declared to his supporters that “political power is not going to be served in a restaurant, it is not served a la carte. It is what we are doing; It is being determined; you do it at all cost; fight for it, grab it, snatch it and run with it”.

“Only recently, Asiwaju Tinubu further incited his followers against President Buhari at APC’s Presidential Rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he accused Mr. President of attempting to subvert the electoral process.

“It is now clearer why the APC Presidential Candidate brazenly established a militia code-named “the Jagaban Army” which is designed to undermine our national security, unleash violence on institutions of democracy and disrupt the electoral process.”

President Buhari, however, completed his assignments in Kano, including the inauguration of the Dala Inland Dry Port, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)-funded 10MW Haske Solar Plant in a 24-hectare land in Kumbotso Local Government of Kano State, the Family Homes Funds Estate, Darmanawa, Kano, the Tier IV Data Centre, a Cancer Treatment Centre at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyum Muhammadu Buhari Road Interchange at NNPC Mega Station Hotoro and the Aliko Dangote Ultra-Modern Skill Acquisition Centre, Zaria Road before leaving the state.

He also visited the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and was hosted to a luncheon by the state government.