BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 15, (THEWILL) – The campaign organisation of the immediate past governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has alleged that the explosion that rocked Maiduguri, the state capital, on Tuesday was apparently targeted at the former governor.
Chairman of Senator Alli Sheriff Campaign Organisation in Borno State, Malam Bako Bunu,who made the allegation in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the fact that Sheriff’s property at the old UTC was also targeted was a pointer to the fact that the former governor was the prime target.
He maintained that the suicide attack which claimed 30 lives, injured 50 others and destroyed 15 vehicles among other property running into millions of naira was meant to bring Sheriff into disrepute.
Angered by the explosion, some irate youths had taken to the streets in protest, attacking political associates of the former governor and torching his political office.
Few days before the explosion, both Sheriff and Governor Kashim Shettima were mobbed by some irate youths who pelted them with stones and sachets of water.
The group said Nigerians should not be deceived that the explosion was carried out by Boko Haram, alleging that Sheriff, who was in the state on a condolence visit was the prime target.
Bunu said the fact that there had been no bomb incident in Maiduguri for the past 11 months until the former governor visited gives the impression that the sustained opposition against his visit was a calculated move to stop him.
“It is sad that vehicles bearing Ali Sheriff’s posters were either vandalised or burnt which further points to the fact that Sheriff was the actual target,” Bunu said.
He accused a former chairman of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and another highly placed official of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) who had always been suspected to be behind violent activities in Maiduguri, of allegedly masterminding the explosion.
“It is an open secret that out of desperation to gain political control of Borno State and out of fear of the growing relevance of Ali Sheriff politically, a group of people has been hiding behind the current insecurity in the state to stop his visit.
“We are aware that the Boko Haram incident was used as an alibi for some people to perpetrate mayhem and distract the attention of the security operatives,” Bunu further alleged.
According to Bunu, “We consider it even childish that highly-placed government officials can condescend so low as to instigate thugs against their leaders (Sheriff).
“It is a pity that upon all the good things Sheriff did for Borno state; his reward was the instigation of public anger against him and attempt to link him with terrorist activities.”
