TheCable

Abu Ibrahim, senator representing Katsina south, has blamed his political opponents for the disruption of Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Funtua.

Ibrahim, Amiru Tukur, member representing Bakori/Danja federal constituency in the house of representatives and Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, escaped the mob action at the rally in Funtua.

It took a combined team of security personnel to rescue notable politicians.

Stones and shoes were reportedly used in attacking the dignitaries.

Some vehicles in the entourage of the governor were smashed by irate youths while security personnel had to use tear-gas to disperse the crowds and free the dignitaries.

Reports say trouble started when some youths started chanting “Bamaso Abu Ibrahim’’ (We don’t want Senator Abu Ibrahim) and then started attacking dignitaries and entertainers invited to perform at the event.

In an interview with NAN on Monday, Ibrahim said Funtua residents are peace loving, noting that he would neither be distracted nor succumb to the antics of “political thugs”.

He said disruptions at political events are normal, especially as the APC was receiving hundreds of defectors from different political groups.

He alleged that the disruption was from political opponents looking for recognition at all costs and enjoined party loyalists to disregard their antics.

“I have contested and won elections in all my polling units at various times without a single record of using thugs or rigging elections,” Ibrahim said.

He said some people had contested with him and lost elections and they always challenged his victory at various quarters but failed, saying the use of thugs should be condemned in the interest of democracy.

The senator enjoined the people to vote wisely based on candidates records of achievements and counselled politicians to promote virtues and prudent governance.

He pledged to continue with his efforts of improving the welfare of the people.

The lawmaker said in a fortnight, he plans to unveil a skill empowerment training programme for about 600 youth beside the ongoing provision of 750 wells with 750 water pumping machines for irrigation farming in the constituency.

He said a free eye treatment in which about 515 people underwent surgeries while 330 persons received medicated glasses and 1,908 others were treated for various eye defects was conducted this month.