This is a political season. Like war, all is fair in this season. The ‘thorough’ search of the aircraft which conveyed the presidential candidate of the main opposition political party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has continued to generate uproar within the polity but it is nothing unusual.
In this analysis, COMPLETE NEWS can authoritatively state that more moves and ‘checks’ are underway for the main opposition party and its presidential candidate in view of the nature of Nigeria’s politics.
Like a dejavu, the PDP’s supporters who are screaming intimidation of their party’s presidential flagbearer, Atiku witnessed how the National leader of the then opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was allegedly clamped down in February 2015 by the Goodluck Jonathan government .
Soldiers were reportedly deployed in Tinubu’s posh Bourdillon residence for three days between February 8-11, 2015. Tinubu and other APC chieftains screamed intimidation and harassment. The soldiers were withdrawn after much media noise and horse-trading.
Sunday Dare who then media aide to Tinubu cried out and the raised the alarm over the alleged occupation in statement.
He said, “For three straight days, the private residence of the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, has been under surveillance by battle-ready and helmet-wearing soldiers. Numbering close to thirty and riding in three patrol vans and an army trucks stationed close to the entrance of the gate to Tinubu’s house along Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, they have become a permanent feature.
“Their obvious target, Tinubu himself, and perhaps the hordes of politicians and visitors that visit his Bourdillon residence. “The soldiers were first noticed on Sunday a few minutes to 11pm in an Army truck. They stationed about 500 meters away from Tinubu’s gate. Later they moved close to his gate as if making efforts to enter.
“The stern looking soldiers were around for hours on Sunday and returned on Monday to continue their surveillance. “Monday night about 10.45pm, they returned to the residence in two army vans and were there throughout the night. Some of the soldiers discharged from the van and walked back and forth in front of the house and around the house in what is clearly some casing effort.
“This morning, (yesterday) Tuesday, two vans from the army were stationed on both sides of the house along Bourdillon road their missions shrouded in secrecy.” Tinubu reacts In his reaction, Tinubu who confirmed the development said: “I will not be intimidated by this show of strength, intimidation and possible harassment. I remain resolute in my advocacy and support for the rule of law.
“Jonathan’s government has through the service chiefs staged a coup against Nigerians and the Constitution and now wants to silence his critics. I will not be muzzled through the barrel of the gun. The guns and bullets they should use to defeat Boko Haram are now being turned against the opposition and innocent Nigerians.”
Aside the occupation, there were video documentaries like the ‘Lion of Bourdillon’ produced by the ruling PDP to malign Tinubu and disparage him.
Atiku who is a seasoned politician who had been aspiring to rule Nigeria since 1993 should know that the stakes are high in the forthcoming elections and nothing will be spared in swaying voters to clinch the plum job.
1 Comment
I agree, this is the dirty part of Politics. The party in Government will utilize all instruments of coercion against it’s opponents.
We are still developing democracy.we shall get there by God’s grace.