Buhari not attacked in Kano, says Presidency

The Presidency, yesterday, described as ‘fake’, the reported pelting of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Hotoro area of Kano State.

It said the report is a “divisive rhetoric of an opposition in a futile attempt to malign the image of the President and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming elections.”

The Presidency, in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “We have seen fake reports of a stone-pelting incident that took place in the Hotoro area of Kano on the day of the visit to the city by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday; an incident, even if minor, that should stand condemned by all well-meaning citizens.

“Facts on ground, as rendered by law enforcement agencies, speak of a clash between the Kano Road Transport Authority (KAROTA) and thugs hired by a yet-to-be identified group that took place when the President was being treated to a banquet at the Government House, well after he had finished his projects commissioning.
“The President was in the state to work on the development, safety and security of the lives of common citizens and the happy thing about it was that the good people of Kano State were appreciative of him for the progress the state and the nation at large are making under him.
“The divisive rhetoric of an opposition in a futile attempt to malign the image of the President and candidates of the APC in the coming elections, and its desperate wedge-driving activities to cause a division between the party and the government is not what will give them victory.
“A so-called leading opposition party that controls 14 states, going into elections with eight or nine of the states in tow should look inwards to see why their campaign is flagging and destined to fail. Their defeat is a foretold story by many discerning individuals.
“The stone pelters, as seen from the video in the fight against the traffic police, were innocent children sponsored by politicians and terrorist sympathisers. There is no place for violence in a democracy.
“The PDP should use the opportunity of the electioneering to put their point of view in a democracy. When problems can be resolved through talks, there is no place for stone pelting, arson and unruly behaviour as we are witnessing in some of the campaigns.”