The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation has described attack on the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina on Jan. 20 by suspected party thugs as barbaric and shameful.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Director General of the orgnaisation, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, added that the development was highly reprehensible.
“While going to Katsina for his scheduled rally, a group of broom-wielding urchins, chanting sai Buhari, hurled stones at the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“This shows very clearly the violent nature, disposition and character of those individuals that were involved.
“Were it not for the gallant efforts of the security personnel, this small group of violent vandals would have harmed the President and caused damage to the vehicles in his convoy’’, he stressed.
He added that the development was coming after the signing of the historic Abuja Peace Accord on Jan. 14, by the presidential candidates of all parties participating in the Feb. 14 presidential election.
He noted that the purpose of that accord was to discourage violence before, during and after the general elections, adding that its intention had now been violated by a group of vandals.
Fani-Kayode added that it was worrisome that this kind of violent reaction would manifest when the election had not held and their candidate has not yet lost.
He expressed optimism that by the grace of God and the support of Nigerians, the opposition would suffer a crushing defeat in the hands of its candidate, President Jonathan, at the polls.
He further added that the PDP, its candidates and supporters had so far behaved reasonably and responsibly in the campaigns.
This, he said, could be attested to by the peaceful rally that Gen. Buhari had in Bayelsa State, the home state of President Jonathan, the PDP presidential candidate.
He urged Buhari to prove his commitment to the Abuja peace accord by ensuring that his supporters did the same thing and did not indulge in vandalism, threats and violence.
He maintained that the attack on the PDP convey in Katsina was unacceptable and must cease forthwith.
“Let us take this opportunity to also serve them notice that if anything untoward happens to our candidate or his supporters during the course of this campaign, we shall hold Buhari and his party responsible’’, he said.
He called on PDP supporters across the country to remain calm and not to indulge in any form of violence or revenge attacks despite unwarranted provocation.