By Correspondent in Minna
Five former Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have stormed Minna, Niger state, to commesurate with Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello over increased insecurity, bandits in particular who abducted over 80 people in less that one week.
The former PDP Governors,by some party elders and stakeholders in the state, also paid homage to the former Military Head of State, Generela Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) where they had closed door meeting with him.
Our correspondent reports that while at the Government House,Minna, Send. Bukola Saraki, former Kwara state Governor, told their host that they were in Minna to sympathize with him and Nigerlites over armed bandits’ attacks in four local government councils; Rafi, Shiroro, Munya and Mariga causing tears, agony and pains to the affected communities.
Saraki, who is the Chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee vested with the responsibility of reconciling aggrieved members, commended Governor Bello for efforts at ensuring timely release of the captives by the bandits.
While condeming in strong terms the abduction of the GSC, Kagara students and staff and as well travellers on the Niger State Trasport Authority (NSTA) bus who are mostly women and small children, Saraki prayed God to touch the hearts of the bandits to release them unhurt.
On the delegation are; former Governors of; Cross-River, Lyle Imoke, Gombe state, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema, and former House of Representatives Leader, Mulikat Adeola Akanbi, led to Government House, Minna by the former Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.
Saraki emphasised the need for those in leadership position to lead discussions against influx of criminally minded persons into Nigeria.
The former Senate President called on Nigerians, irrespective of party, tribal and religious affiliations to close ranks and evolve ways to end sprawling security challenges in the country.
“This insecurity matter is a national problem, therefore, Nigerians should come together and not leave it in the hand of the government alone. Everybody, including members of the opposition political parties, should come together to join hands to end the siege on our land”.
The former Senate president said; “When people are kidnapped, their abductors don’t ask their victims if they are members of the APC or the PDP. Therefore, I suggest that we must evolve a national approach to addressing this monster, security challenge”.
Governor Sani Bello commended Senator Saraki whom he described as a nationalist and other members of the PDP visiting team for showing concern on the plight of Nigerlites who coukd no longer keep their two eyes closed on account of rising crime and criminalities in the state.
Meanwhile, Saraki led earlier led PDP national reconciliation committee on a visit to former military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida at his hilltop residence,where they also held closed door meeting with him and also stopped over at the residence of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubarkar.
The purpose and details of the meeting was not made public but feelers had it that the closed door meeting with former President Babangida might not be unconnected with the security situation in Nigeria and the crisis rocking the main opposition PDP in Niger state.
Sen. Sarakis’ team was received on arrival at the Minna Airport by some PDP elders and stakeholders from the three senatorial zones of the state, including Hon. Members representing Agwara and Agaie.
The Reporters recalls that a foremost cleric in the north, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has waded in on the abduction of the 27 students of Government Science School, Kagara, by holding meet with their abductors with a view freeing the students.
The Islamic scholar, who gave the abducted Islamic books to read, digest and imbibe the content l advised them release the students.
The abductors told the religious leader that they carried out the action because they had been facing frustration in many respects of their existence among others.
