The former Governor of Born State, Alhaji Modu Sheriff has blamed the bomb attack that reportedly killed as many as 30 persons in Maiduguri on a faction of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
In a statement released by his media aide, Bako Bunu, Sheriff said the terrorist sect, Boko Haram was not to blame.
“The bomb blast that rocked Maiduguri the Borno state capital yesterday, was not from the dreaded Islamist Boko Haram sect but an act of arson targeted at former governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff who was in the state for a condolence visit,” the spokesperson said.
Sheriff and the state governor are both members of the APC, and are engaged in a battle for control of the party in the state.
“Senator Sheriff sincerely sympathises with all those affected by the bomb blast planted by evil state government officials in Borno who are doing this in the name of scoring cheap and irresponsible political goals.
“The fact that Sheriffs’ property at the old UTC was also targeted was a clear indication that the former governor was the prime target.
“The fact that there had been no bomb incident in Maiduguri for the past 11 months until the former governor visited also gives the impression that the sustained opposition against his visit was a calculated move to stop him.
“It is sad that vehicles bearing Ali Sheriff’s posters were either vandalised or burnt which further points to the fact that Sheriff was the actual target,” Mr. Bunu said.
“The bomb which killed about 19 people was the handiwork of a former chairman of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and another highly placed official of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) who has always been suspected to be the brains behind violent activities in Maiduguri.
“It is an open secret that out of desperation to gain political control of Borno state and out of fear of the growing relevance of Ali Sheriff politically, a group of people has been hiding behind the current insecurity in the state to stop his visit.
“We are aware that the Boko Haram incident was used as an alibi for some people to perpetrate mayhem and distract the attention of the security operatives,” Mr. Bunu added.
“We consider it even childish that highly placed government officials can condescend so low as to instigate thugs against their leaders.
“It is a pity that upon all the good things Sheriff did for Borno state; his reward has been to instigate public anger against him and attempt to link him with terrorist activities,” he said.