Group alleges plot to assassinate Buhari

The Buhari Vanguard, a group supporting the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, has accused the Nigerian Presidency and the ruling Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, of a sinister plot to assassinate Mr. Buhari.


Mr. Buhari, 73, is the flag bearer of the APC in the March 28 election.

In a statement on Monday, the Buhari Vanguard said they had become "extremely concerned" over the safety of the APC candidate.

"We cannot close our eyes and pretend that we do not see danger. We suspect that the PDP and the Presidency must be up to something sinister and may just be watering the ground for a soft landing when it is finally executed," said Jasper Azuatalam, chairman of the group.

"We express fear that some people may be targeting to assassinate Gen Muhammadu Buhari and turn round to claim that it is their prophecy fulfilled.

"We have not forgotten that late last year, Gen Muhammadu Buhari narrowly escaped death when his convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber two days after he accused the Presidency of not doing enough to ensure the security of lives and properties of Nigerians.

"President Jonathan set up an inquiry into the attack, but we have not heard anything about the inquiry till date."
According to the group, the recent paid advertorials on national newspapers by some prominent PDP members predicting Mr. Buhari's death are part of a plot to test the waters before carrying out their motive.

"The spokesperson of the President Jonathan's 2015 campaign has severely turned into a prophet of doom by prophesying the death and incapacitation of Gen Muhammadu Buhari," Mr. Azuatalam said.

"They have forged false medical reports claiming that Gen Buhari has a terminal sickness. They have spread rumours of death and incapacitation about Gen Muhammadu Buhari when there is no sign of fever in Buhari."

The group wondered why eyebrows are being raised over Mr. Buhari's health after he had contested in three general election and "remained healthy and strong".

"One cannot but imagine why the Presidency and the PDP is trying to convince Nigerians that Gen Muhammadu Buhari cannot live up to four years if elected president of Nigeria this year," said Mr. Azuatalam said.

"The Presidency and PDP have publicly announced that the fate of Umaru Musa Yar'adua will (befall) Gen Buhari. The latest is that they have started predicting those who will take over office from Gen Buhari, if he is elected as President of Nigeria and dies like they have predicted."

The group called on Nigerians and the international community to "keep an eye" on the Presidency and the PDP regarding Mr. Buhari's safety.

"The PDP and Presidency have almost exhausted all avenues to stop Gen Buhari from contesting the 2015 general elections, now they are scheming to scuttle the whole election in its entirety.
"Who can tell if the only option remaining to stop change in Nigeria will not be to assassinate the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen Muhammadu Buhari."