From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse
Several angry youths on Sunday smashed some vehicles in former Governor Saminu Turaki’s convoy in Hadeijia local government of Jigawa state.
The irate youths whom were said to be angry over the posters of President Goodluck Jonathan the convoy pasted on their vehicles laid ambush while the former governor was returning from Hadejia town.
Turaki was attacked on his way out of Hadeijia, where he attended the turbaning of Alhaji Abdulfata Tahir as the new Talba of Hadeijia.
Malam Isyaku Maikifi, an eye witness who spoke to our correspondent, said the youths had earlier lined up at the outskirt of the town apparently waiting for the former governor to exit the town as they started chanting ‘bamayi’ when they sighted the heavy convoy coming out.
Maikifi said they were particularly angry that Turaki was sent by the President to down play Lamido’s political strength even as they sighted the posters of President Goodluck Jonathan pasted on the vehicles in Turaki’s’ convoy.
Hon. Abba Anas, the sole administrator of PDP in Sokoto state who was with Saminu Turaki when the incidence happened said the youths were sponsored by the Jigawa state government to embarrass Turaki.
“We went to Hadeijia to facilitate with our friend who was turbaned as the new Talban Hadeijia. On our way out, some youths attacked our convoy and smashed some vehicles. We are aware of the orchestrated campaign to frustrate our movement in Jigawa. We know that a Special Assistant to Governor Lamido organised these boys to attack us but I want to say how disappointed we are about the whole thing because the government claimed that they are fighting thuggery in politics and drug abuse. It is shocking that the same government will send youths after the convoy of an ex-governor in the state.”
The Special Adviser to Governor Sule Lamido on Media, Malam Adamu Muhammad Usman told Peoples Daily that it is ridiculous and mischievous for anyone to blame the government stating that we are not aware of the attack.
“It is unfortunate that they are linking the government with attack on Saminu Turaki’s’convoy in Hadejia. When his convoy was attacked in Gumel two weeks ago was it government that sponsored it? When his convoy was attacked in Baturiyya a week ago was it government that sponsored that? The truth is that Saminu did not achieve anything in Jigawa in eight years. The people cannot stomach his failure with his latest attempt to come back to politics in the state. His purported attempt at politicising the turbaning ceremony in Hadeijia was what might have angered the youth. The truth is that Lamido’s’performance has endeared him to the people of Jigawa and he remained their leader.”
