Don’t blame FG for attack on Buhari – Dangiwa Umar

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar  Dangiwa Umar has said  it is wrong and misconception to  blame the Federal Government for the bomb  attack  on the former  Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Wednesday, July 23, 2014. He stated this in press statement, signed by him and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Col. Dangiwa said he was concerned and worried by possible dangerous repercussions of such allegations on the peace and unity of the country, which is currently under severe stress and therefore, decided not only to condemn such accusation   but also to adduce evidence to counter such wrong and preposterous allegations.

 According to the former governor, when about 4 months ago, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari issued a condemnation of the activities of Boko Haram (BH) sect, the presidency praised him for what it saw as an act of courage and statesmanship.

“Some of us agreed and welcomed this reaction, particularly because it would have the positive effect of building the much-needed consensus in the war against the Boko Haram insurgency. We were also delighted by General Buhari’s action, because it provided evidence, if any was needed, that he was not a religious bigot, and like most Northerners did not share or support any terrorist religious ideology. However, fearing the usual BH reprisal we advised the federal.

“The point then is how can a government that is intent on assassinating the Buhari provide him with added security? “It would have been most strange indeed for a government planning to assassinate this very popular Northern icon to retain as its National Security Adviser, Colonel M.S. Dasuki, son of the Sultan of Sokoto and his brother-in –law, General Aliyu Gusau as its Minister of Defence, or even its Inspector-General of Police, M.D. Abubakar, from Zamfara state.

“I have since learned that the bulletproof vehicle in which General Buhari was riding at the time of the attack was provided to him by an APC chieftain, possibly an APC governor. My reaction to this is that it does not detract from the fact that the federal government indeed reinforced the General’s security about four months ago.

“Bulletproof vehicle is only a component of the security infrastructure. General Buhari himself was reported to have told Sahara TV that: “I am not bothered by them (BH) targeting me. The government has given me adequate protection”, he said.

Umar however appealed to the political elites to desist from politics of brinkmanship, all aimed at achieving their narrow political interests, saying that they need not be reminded that a violent disintegration of Nigeria would be an ill wind that will blow nobody any good.