By Ummi Ismaeel, Minna
Five former governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend stormed Minna, Niger State, to commesurate with Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello over increasing insecurity including armed banditry in the state.
The state has been at the mercy of armed bandits, who abducted over 80 people in less than one week and taken over not less than eight communities.
The former PDP governors accompanied by some party elders and staakeholders in Niger State also visited and held meeting with the former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).
While at the Government House, Bukola Saraki, the Kwara State former governor told their host that they were in Minna to sympathize with him – Governor Abubakar Sani Bello – and Nigerlites over armed bandits’ attacks in four local government councils – Rafi, Shiroro, Munya and Mariga – causing tears, agony and pains to the affected communities.
Saraki, who is the Chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee vested with the responsibility of reconciling aggrieved members, commended the governor for efforts at ensuring timely release of the captives by the bandits.
While condeming the abduction of the GSC, Kagara students and staff and as well, travellers on the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) bus, who are mostly women and small children, Saraki prayed God to touch the hearts of the armed bandits to release them unhurt.
On the delegation are; former Governors of Cross-River, Lyle Imoke; Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema; and former House of Representatives Leader, Mulikat Adeola Akanbi. They were led to the Government House, Minna by the Niger State former Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.
Saraki, who encouraged Nigerians not to voting for people who cannot speak against anything that is inimical to the safety and peace among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities also appealed to those in leadership position to lead discussions against influx of criminally minded persons into Nigeria.
The former Senate President who however called on Nigerians irrespective of party, tribal and religious affiliations to close ranks and evolve ways to end sprawling security challenges, described the trend as very alarming.
“This insecurity matter is a national problem. Therefore Nigerians should come together and not leave it in the hands of the government alone. Everybody, including members of the opposition political parties should come together to join hands to end the siege on our land,” he said.
Senator Saraki further argued, “When people are kidnapped, their abductors don’t ask their victims if they are members of the APC or the PDP. Therefore, I suggest that we must evolve a national approach to addressing this monster, security challenge”.
Governor Sani Bello commended Saraki whom he described as a nationalist and other members of the PDP visiting team for showing concern on the plight of Nigerlites who can no longer keep their two eyes closed on account of rising crime and criminalities.
Meanwhile, the Senator Saraki-led PDP national reconciliation committee had earlier visited former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, at his Hilltop residence where they also held closed door meeting with him and also stopped over at the residence of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubarkar.
The purpose and details of the meeting were not made public, but feelers had it that the meeting with former President Babangida may not be unconnected with the security situation in Nigeria and the crisis rocking the main opposition PDP in Niger state. Senator Bukola Saraki’s team was received on arrival at the Minna Airport by some PDP elders and stakeholders from the three senatorial zones, including Hon. Members representing Agwara and Agaie.
