Sheriff: I was target of Maiduguri bomb

--Borno elites seek probe of ex-governor

Former Borno State Governor Ali Sheriff has alleged that the bomb blast that killed over 30 people in Maiduguri on Tuesday was not planted by the Boko Haram sect but by political opponents who were targeting him.

In a statement by the chairman of his campaign organisation, Malam Bako, Sheriff said the fact that his campaign office was also attacked clearly showed that he was the prime target.

“It is sad that vehicles bearing Ali Sheriff’s posters were either vandalised or burnt which further points to the fact that Sheriff was the actual target,” Bako said.

“It is an open secret that out of desperation to gain political control of Borno State and out of fear of the growing relevance of Ali Sheriff politically, a group of people has been hiding behind the current insecurity in the state to stop his visit.

“We are aware that the Boko Haram incident was used as an alibi for some people to perpetrate mayhem and distract the attention of the security operatives.”

Meanwhile, the Borno Elites for Peace, Stability and Progress has said that Sheriff should be investigated following the claim by his campaign office that he knew those behind the Maiduguri bombing.

A statement by the group’s chairman Imam Ibrahim Gazali, vice chairman Saleh Yerima Biu and secretary Mary James Bata: “We have noted with very serious concern the attempt by Sheriff to contradict the position of the Nigerian Army which had earlier attributed the deadly attacks to the handiwork of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.”

“To this end, we are calling on the security agencies to without any further delay, invite former Governor Sheriff to tell them all he knows, with a view to providing them with incontrovertible evidence about the identity of those who carried out the attack,” it said.

Also reacting to the Maiduguri bombing, a member of the House of Representatives from Borno State, Rep Kaka Kyari Gujbawu, yesterday called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Gujbawu, who represents Maiduguri Federal Constituency, said the blast came as a rude shock as residents of the city had enjoyed an uninterrupted reign of peace until Tuesday.

“All the security apparatus in Nigeria should stand on their toes and stop the senseless violence in the region,” he said in a statement.

“I am also calling upon the security chiefs to apply utmost wisdom in handling the crisis so as not to scuttle the friendly collaboration with the youths that helped in restoring peace in Maiduguri.”