HOODLUMS SCUTTLE SULE LAMIDO'S ATTEMPT TO FLAG-OFF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN KADUNA

Emmanuel Onotevure in Kaduna
An attempt by Alhaji Sule Lamido, a chieftain of the People's Democratic Party, PDP to flag off his presidential ambition in Kaduna on Wednesday afternoon was interrupted as scores of armed youths besieged the Sule Lamido's Campaign Office and chased away everybody.



The youths who were armed with machetes, daggers and other dangerous weapons, had gathered outside the Sule Lamido Campaign Office located on Katuru road, caused so much confusion noise to distract the PDP Presidential hopeful while obstructing vehicular movement of traffic and people.

The former Jigawa state governor who was already inside the premises, spoke with a large gathering of his loyalists and supporters, addressed them on his 2019 Presidential declaration.

The armed youths however prevented more people from gaining entrance into the campaign office.

Addressing his supporters, the presidential aspirant had before the attack, berated the Buhari-led government of the All Progressives Congress APC, for its poor handling of the nation’s socio-economic and political affairs.

The PDP Chieftain had noted, "because there was no peace in the country, investors seemed to have shunned Nigeria".

“When there is peace in Nigeria, there will be development and growth; when there is stability, people can invest; today, there is instability in Nigeria because our chemistry cannot blend. We are busy maligning one another, dehumanising one another and abusing one another", he lamented.

“Nigerian government will mock you if you complain. If I am wailing, my people will say, ‘Sule what is your problem?’ This is the only government that people have been mocked for expressing their opinion. We have been demonised because of our opinion. We will not succumb because this is our country", he said.

"We shall revive Nigeria. Today, they have turned Nigeria to a theatre. People have been demonised and mocked. So, I am telling the youths that the future is yours. I will not tolerate any youth smoking marijuana, brandishing swords or cutlasses or any weapons. Today, Nigeria is basically gone because our chemistry is not blending", Lamido stated.

The noise and confusion outside became a great distraction to the PDP Presidential hopeful and this was said to have prompted him to wrap up his speech.

In his speech, the former governor had slammed hard on the Buhari led administration for the crisis that has befallen the nation and further berated the APC government for maligning and demonizing the PDP as being responsible for the woes in the country.

He called on his supporters to remain calm and resolute in their support as he admonished the youths in the country not to allow anyone persuade them into taking arms or provide them with drugs for whatever selfish reasons.

"No sooner that the PDP chieftain and presidential hopeful drove out of the premises that the hoodlums unleaahed mayhem as they attacked everything and everyone in sight and used all sorts of dangerous weapons to inflict bodily harm on supporters and passersby", says Aminu Iliyasu who witnessed it all.

A security guard in one of the adjoining premises lamented the absence of adequate security personnel at such an event especially when it involves such a political gathering that has an aspirant who is seeking a go against the incumbent.

According to Jamilu, "there was no police patrol vehicle around but then, I doubt if that would have helped as the youths were obviously ready to confront anyone".

Efforts to reach the Kaduna Police Command for comments were futile. Many have wondered why the police were not on ground at the venue as it could have degenerated into a blood bath.