THE All Progressives Congress presidential
candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)
in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday
promised to liberate captured towns in the
North-East from the hold of Boko Haram
insurgents.
Security operatives had hectic time controlling
the unprecedented crowd that turned out to
welcome Buhari to the state, which serves as the
base of Boko Haram.
The state governor, Kashim Shettima, had on
Sunday declared Monday a work-free day in the
state and asked residents to troop out to show
their love for Buhari.
Movements were paralysed, especially around
the Ramat Square venue of the APC presidential
rally.
At the Shehu of Borno’s palace, Buhari said, “I
was here in 1975 as governor of the defunct
North-East states, I’m happy that I received a
befitting welcome; if elected, I will focus on
tackling the persistent insecurity affecting the
North-East, it is not easy as the damage has
been done.
“Your Royal Highness, God willing if APC
government is elected, all towns under Boko
Haram control will be liberated and rebuilt. It
was unfortunate that commercial activities were
paralysed following the insecurity. In the past,
hundreds of trailers loaded with goods took off
from Maiduguri to various neighbouring
countries, but presently the reverse is the
situation.
“Boko Haram ideology contradicts Islamic
principles, because Islam does not allow
senseless killings of innocent souls.
It is
unfortunate that innocent persons were being
killed in mosques, churches and their houses.
God willing, if APC government is elected we will
restore the confidence in governance.”
The Borno monarch, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi,
told the APC presidential candidate that, if
elected, he should focus on restoration of peace,
massive investment, re-construction of federal
roads and ensure the success of oil exploration
in the Lake Chad region.
The speeches at the rally were continually
punctuated by the shouts of “Sai Buhari.”
The crowd defied attempts at maintaining order
as they surged towards the podium to touch
Buhari, who is seen in the state as a hero.
The surging crowd destroyed the steel barrier
around the podium and damaged the television
installation for the live coverage of the campaign
rally thus forcing the live transmission off the
air.
Those in attendance at the rally included the
APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-
Oyegun; Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi;
former National Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Senator
Lawal Sha’aibu, Umar Farouk Aliyu, Senator Hadi
Sirika, APC Secretary, Mai Mala Bunu; and a
former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Lawan
Dambazau (retd.).
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