Presidency Refutes Reports Of Stone-Pelting At Buhari's Entourage

The Presidency says reports of stone-pelting incident in the Hotoro area of Kano on the day of the visit to the city by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday are false.

This is a response to comments by the  National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, who in a statement alleged that the stone-pelting was sponsored by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Ologunagba stressed that the attack on the person of the president was treasonable and a sacrilegious assault on Nigeria’s national sovereignty, which must be condemned by all.

Reacting to this,  the president’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu in a statement on Tuesday dismissed PDP’s concern over the incident, saying condemnation of the fake incident by the opposition was mere crocodile tears.

He further accused the PDP of trying to cause disaffection and division among chieftains and leadership of the APC.

Shehu described the PDP comments on the incident as divisive rhetoric of an opposition in a futile attempt to malign the image of the President and the candidates of the APC in the coming elections.

He said such fabrications by the PDP would not ensure its victory in the February 25 Presidential election.

”We have seen fake reports of a stone-pelting incident that took place at Hotoro area of Kano on the day of the visit to the city by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, an incident, even if minor, that should stand condemned by all well-meaning citizens.

”Facts on ground as rendered by the law enforcement agencies speak of a clash between the local road transport authorities, the Kano Road Transport Authority (KAROTA) and thugs hired by a yet-to-be-identified group that took place when the president was being treated to a banquet at the Government House, well after he had finished his projects commissioning," parts of the statement read.

”The President was in the state to work the development, safety and security of the lives of common citizens and the happy thing about it was that the good people of Kano State were appreciative of him for the progress the state and the nation at large are making under him.

”The divisive rhetoric of an opposition in a futile attempt to malign the image of the President and the candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the coming elections, and its desperate wedge-driving activities to cause a division between the party and the government is not what will give them victory.

"A so-called leading opposition party that controls 14 states, going into elections with eight or nine of the states in tow should look inwards to see why their campaign is flagging and destined to fail. Their defeat is a foretold story by many discerning individuals.

”The stone-pelters as seen from the video in the fight against the traffic police were innocent children sponsored by politicians and terrorist sympathisers. There is no place for violence in a democracy.

”The PDP should use the opportunity of the electioneering to put their point of view in a democracy.

"When problems can be resolved through talks, there is no place for stone-pelting, arson and unruly behaviour as we are witnessing in some of the campaigns.”

The presidential aide also called on political and religious leaders to always correctly inform the misled youngsters to shun the path of violence for the general good of the society.

”It is equally unhealthy for society and it becomes the duty of political, social and religious leaders to correctly inform the misled youngsters to shun the path of violence which is inimical to their own future.

Garba Shehu insisted that President Buhari has not lost his command and respect in Kano.