Tambuwal, Deputy, PDP Guber Candidate Escape Death

It was a narrow escape for Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, his deputy, Alhaji Manir Dan’Iya, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Saidu Umar and several stalwarts of the party as hoodlums attacked their convoy on Sunday evening in the North West State.

Reports indicated that their convoy allegedly ran into an ambush while returning from campaign rallies held in Silame and Wamakko local government areas.

It was reliably gathered that the attack occurred in the outskirts of Wamakko town, as the campaign teams were on their way back to Sokoto township.

Also surviving the convoy attack unhurt were notable party chieftains including the Deputy governorship candidate, Hon Sagir Bafarawa and the visiting Kebbi State PDP gubernatorial candidate, General Aminu Bande (rtd).

According to an eyewitness account, the Governor’s convoy narrowly escaped the ambush even though some cars in the convoy had their windscreen smashed.

One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the convoy was enjoying a smooth journey back when pandemonium suddenly broke out with many people on the campaign train scampering to safety in a bid to escape from the hooligans.

Further recounting what he described as a terrible experience, source said; “By the time the dust settled, two of the vehicles I can identify as those of the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and the official SUV conveying the Permanent Secretary (Protocol) to the Governor were badly damaged in the process.

“The attackers threw stones at the moving vehicles in the convoy hitting the front windscreen of the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity official SUV and piercing the the rear screen of the official SUV in tow, conveying the Permanent Secretary (Protocol) to the Governor.”

Highlight of the campaign rallies was the formal defection of Zayyanu Wamakko, a notable political ally of former governor Aliyu Wamakko, from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ruling PDP in Wamakko local government area of the state.

As at the time of filing this report, there has been no reaction from the State government or the ruling PDP in the State.