*ADC Guber Candidate Miqati Mocks Tinubu, APC
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Simmering insecurity in parts of Kaduna State erupted to the surface when suspected killer Fulani herdsmen attacked Kauran Dawa community, Kauru Local Government Area (LGA) of the North-Central State, leaving a farmer dead and two others injured.
The incident, which happened on Monday around 4pm, was disclosed in a distress message sent to journalists by a pastor based in the LGA.
Kauru LGA is one of the areas in Southern Kaduna that has witnessed attacks by heavily armed herdsmen – a trend that has gripped some parts of the country under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
According to the cleric, the deceased, who was attacked while trying to protect his farm from destruction by the herdsmen, was buried on Tuesday (yesterday) amid tension and public expressions of anger.
“Good evening sir, I am writing to inform you that Fulani people killed one man and injured two. Now we are in Kauru hospital. They killed him because he wanted to protect his farm because they are destroying the crops in one village called Kauran Dawa, Kauru Local Government, Kaduna State yesterday around 4 o’clock,” the pastor said in the message.
According to the cleric, following the attack, the victims were rushed to Kauru General Hospital, where one was confirmed dead while the two injured are currently receiving treatment.
The attack reportedly occurred after suspected herders invaded farmlands in the village and started destroying crops, prompting the farmers to confront them.
As at the time of filing this report, security agencies were yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while the Kaduna State Police Command was yet to speak on the attack.
Residents of the community have called on government and security agencies to intervene and protect farming communities in the area who are currently in the harvest season.
Kaduna ADC Guber Candidate Miqati Mocks Tinubu, APC
Meanwhile, in a separate development, a political stakeholder and governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Shuaibu Idris Miqati, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off held in Kaduna at the weekend, though well planned, lacked the historic crowd and fanfare that used to characterize such events, blaming the harsh economic realities facing Nigerians as reason for the relatively poor turnout.
In a statement, Miqati apparently mocked APC for stewing in its own juice.
“It appears the event was well planned and executed as it went fairly smoothly.
“However, the crowd were from far and near and the fanfare in the atmosphere left much to be desired as it wasn’t anywhere near what we used to see historically in such events,” he stated.
He attributed the low enthusiasm to the trying times Nigerians are passing through, with cost of living biting harder and more people falling below the poverty line.
“The harsh economic policies of President Tinubu administration is making it near impossible for anyone to support his re-election campaigns. The rhetoric made about who caused hunger and poverty in our land has not gone down well with the people,” the statement noted.
Tinubu had,at the campaign flag-off pointed accusing fingers at the opposition,saying they were behind the hunger and poverty ravaging the country.
But, Miqati said APC’s admission of unintended consequences of the policies and offering of the steps being taken to ease the pains would have been better than blame games, buck passing and evasion of responsibility.
“In politics people matter, their matter should matter even more! Could President Tinubu say that he is just knowing the issues? What brought about the problems? Who were behind the challenges? Did he not study the situation before offering himself to serve?” he queried.
The stakeholder wondered whether it was the desire and belief that it is his turn that pushed Tinubu to contest without a clue on how best to resolve the issues, and why he rushed to implement policies that further impoverished Nigerians.
“These and many more questions beg for answers and explanations; moreso when he is three years old in the saddle and looking for re-election,” he added.
On whether President Tinubu will get a second term mandate, he said it is too early to forecast, noting that the dynamics of politics, international developments such as what happened in Brazil, and fragmentation of opposition politicians would have a role to play in what eventually happens come 16 January 2027 when the presidential poll holds.
He said the President’s scorecard and complaints by the Northern political class about insecurity, infrastructure and poverty should have been put forward before the electorate at the flag-off.
He also commiserated with Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, the people of State and families of APC supporters who reportedly lost their lives while traveling from their homes to the venue of the campaign kick-off
“Our prayer is, may our country become even more peaceful and tranquil. It is sad and painful to lose our citizens,” he said.
