The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the controversy generated by his Sunday statement that he called the widow of slain army officer, Lt.-Col. Ibrahim Sakaba.
Sakaba was killed by Boko Haram on November 18 alongside 43 other members of the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete, Guzamala LGA, Borno State.
Although Atiku had said he called Sakaba’s widow to condole with her, the widow later told The Punch that she got no calls from Atiku.
However, Atiku has come out to explain what happened, saying he spoke with Sakaba’s sister, not wife.
In a statement on Monday, the Waziri of Adamawa said, “Following the death of Lt. Col Ibrahim Sakaba during the Boko Haram insurgents’ attack on 157 Taskforce Battalion in Metele, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s staff has made efforts to get the contact of his widow to enable the former Vice President express his condolences over the loss of the fallen hero.
“Over the weekend, Atiku Abubakar was availed with phone numbers of Mrs. Sakaba and Maryam, younger sister of the late soldier, in the alternative.
“On Sunday, the former Vice President tried albeit unsuccessfully to contact Mrs. Sakaba but was able to eventually speak with Maryam, younger sister of the gallant soldier during which he expressed his deepest condolences to the family.
“However, this communication was erroneously communicated. The error is regretted. Atiku Abubakar, however reaffirms his deepest condolences to the Sakaba family, which sacrifices, like those of their brave son, keeps us safe.”