Niger non-indigenes in mass exodus over fears of election crisis

From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

Large number of non-indigenes were seen to be fleeing Minna in the last three days despite assurances from the state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of adequate protection of lives, properties that there would be no electoral violence in the state.

The people were seen loading their belongings into trailers, Marcopolo buses and long trucks at Kpakungu junction and Sabon gari areas of Minna the state capital.

Some of the belongings seen by our reporter who went round the two places include Chairs, beds, mattresses, wardrobes, stoves, pots and other household properties as well as plenty of foodstuFfs most especially yams and potatoes.

A visit to the Minna Ultramodern market (Eng.A.A Kure market) revealed that most of the shops are under locks and keys as the owners have either refused to return home after travelling for the Christmas season or some of them are preparing to leave the state capital who were mostly people from southern parts of the country.

When contacted one of the travelers, Mrs Mercy Chucks said “I have to go home and come back after election because the way this year politics is going we are not comfortable; I have to be in my village where I will be hopeful of everything ok.”

The state Governor, Dr. Mu ‘azu Babangida Aliyu had recently called on the people not to be afraid of ant crisis over the 2015 elections as he assured them of adequate security before, during and after the elections.

He also called on traditional leaders to employ themselves in their God – given service to reduce growing tension over fears of crisis in the 2015 election.

“All apprehensions for violence will not be seen once we learn to accept whatever outcome of result we, know that God decides who wins. It is however our duty to tell our children to be law abiding and to stay away from acts that will lead to violence’.

“We therefore call on our traditional leaders to remind their subjects that the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct, hence above individual interest”, he said.