A large number of supporters of Atiku Abubakar – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) presidential flag-bearer – were injured Wednesday when hooligans attacked the convoy of the former vice president in the Borno State capital of Maiduguri.
Eyewitness accounts say Atiku’s convoy came under attack just as he left the palace of the Shehu of Borno for Ramat Square – venue of a PDP presidential rally.
The injured were rushed to hospitals in the state capital.
Spokesperson for Atiku’s Presidential Campaign Council – Dino Melaye – announced minutes before Atiku took to the podium that the convoy ferrying the presidential hopeful to the event’s centre was attacked, adding that about 174 supporters were injured as a result while more than one hundred vehicles in the convoy were vandalized.
Addressing his supporters later, Atiku sympathised with the injured, saying no amount of intimidation would stop the PDP from sending the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) packing from Aso Rock and the Borno State government house come 2023.
Atiku and his running mate – Delta Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa – were in Borno alongside Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; former Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and a host of chieftains of the opposition party.
Kashim Shettima – the running mate to Bola Tinubu – the presidential candidate of the ruling APC – is a former governor of Borno State.
