President Goodluck Jonathan's convoy was again stoned on Thursday by
some aggrieved youths in Jalingo, Taraba State.
Jonathan was in the city in continuation of the Peoples Democratic
Party's presidential rally.
His convoy had before Thursday been stoned in Katsina and Bauchi
states when he went to seek the votes for his re-election bid.
It was gathered that the windscreens and windows of some of the
vehicles on the convoy were destroyed before security operatives
used tear gas and horsewhips to disperse the youths.
Those who witnessed the Thursday incident but pleaded anonymity
toldThe PUNCHthat the incident occurred when the President's convoy
was going to the palace of the Emir of Muri, Abass Tafida, from the
airport.
One of them said, "Security agents ensured that people were moved very
far from the main but at a point, the convoy got to a particular
village where the youths became restive.
"Before we knew what was happening, they started stoning the convoy."
It however could not be determined as of press time if anyone in the
convoy was hurt or any arrests made.
A Punch correspondent reports that Jonathan, who was unruffled by the
incident, used the opportunity of his visit to the state to meet with
ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai.
Suntai has been unable to return to work since he was involved in a
plane crash in October 2012.
The PUNCH learnt that Jonathan met with Suntai inside the Government
House, Jalingo.
But while Jonathan was busy campaigning, another set of angry youths
descended on the state PDP secretariat in Jalingo.
It took the intervention of security agents to save the edifice from
being reduced to rubble by the angry youths who vandalised 12 vehicles
on the premises.
The spokesman for the PDP in the state, Napoleon Adamu,who lamented
the incident, said the youths were protesting their non-inclusion in
the preparation for Jonathan's visit.
He expressed anger that despite the Abuja accord signed by all the
presidential candidates , some elements could still go as far as
attacking members of the party.
He said, "We are happy that no life was lost and we want to appeal to
our teeming youths to eschew violence and not to take the law into
their own hands.
"Even before the date the President's campaign was fixed, the youths
had been complaining that they were not carried along by the
committees constituted for the visit."
At the state stadium campaign ground, Jonathan said he would ensure
the completion of both the Kashimbila Dam and the Mambilla Hydro Power
projects in the state if re-elected.
He added that plans were on to establish a presidential resort at
Mambilla to attract top government functionaries and business moguls
to the state.
Jonathan later moved to Yola, Adamawa State, where he again assured
the people that Michika and Madagali Local government Areas would
be recaptured by the military from Boko Haram.
Jonathan told the crowd that his administration would provide funds
to enable those affected by insurgency to rebuild their houses and
live a meaningful life.
Making inferences about insinuations in certain quarters that he was
going about seeking re-election when Boko Haram was intensifying its
attacks on parts of the North-East, the President urged the people to
disregard such.
"No human being with his right senses, except a mad man, will
encourage the insurgents to attack and kill people for political
purposes while he is going about looking for votes," Jonathan said at
the Mahmud Ribadu Square venue of the rally.
"No political leader will compromise his stance and connive with
terrorists under whatever circumstances to declare war on his
country," he added.
Calling on the electorate to have confidence in the leadership of the
PDP for accelerated development, Jonathan warned Nigerians against
playing politics with insecurity.
He said that his administration was "disturbed by the insurgents'
activities" and added that it was mad for political opponents to
claim that he was not doing much to end the insurgency which,
according to him, is a global phenomenon.
"This type of allegation from politicians who campaign to garner votes
from the electorate amounts to madness. People should disregard
such insinuations because they are aimed at derailing our
democracy," Jonathan added.
He advised the people to also vote for the PDP governorship candidate
in the state, Nuhu Ribadu, whom, he said, would use his position to
fight Boko Haram.
A PDP topshot and a former Petroleum Minister, Prof. Jibril Aminu;
former acting Governor Umaru Fintiri; and the Senate President,
David Mark, jointly called on the electorate to vote for Jonathan.
--PUNCH
