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The Presidential
Campaign Council of the People’s Democratic Party has expressed
sympathy with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) over the mishap
involving some top-level members of their presidential campaign team.

The Director of
Media and Publicity, Abba Dabo, in a press statement said the campaign
group, “joins the ACN in thanking God that no life was lost in the
incident and prays that no Nigerian experiences such a sense of panic
and anxiety in our airspace again.”

Mr. Dabo, however,
criticised the statement credited to the spokesperson of the ACN’s
presidential campaign team, Ibrahim Modibbo, alleging sabotage.
Describing the statement as “absurd and indeed worrisome,” Mr. Dabo
claimed ACN members are in the habit of blaming the PDP for all their
misfortunes.

“These unfounded
allegations range from such issues as denial of campaign permits, plane
mishaps and even alleged assassination attempts. It is our sincere
belief that even in the midst of a fierce political scramble for power,
there should be a limit to political interpretation of sensitive
matters.

“This strategy of
blaming PDP for all their woes is a further confirmation that their
campaigns lack issues or direction. And that they have seen the
handwriting on the walls, about their impending electoral defeat,” Mr.
Dabo said.

The vice
presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Fola
Adeola and other leaders of the party escaped harm when the 5N-BMR
aircraft they boarded ran into goats that strayed onto the runway of
the airstrip of Bauchi airport on Tuesday.

Mr. Adeola was in
Bauchi State for the party’s presidential campaign and the flag-off
campaign of the governorship candidate for the state, Baba Tela, which
took place at the Ibrahim Babangida Square.

Speaking to
journalists, Mr Modibbo, had said the incident was a bad development
and described it as the “handiwork of saboteurs who were out to
eliminate the life of the presidential candidate (Nuhu Ribadu).”

According to Mr.
Modibbo, the second aircraft which Mr. Ribadu and other party members
boarded could not land immediately and had to hover in the air for over
40 minutes before it finally landed. Mr. Modibbo said the management of
the airstrip was aware of Mr. Ribadu’s flight plans. However, he said
the Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organisation was not asking the government to
do it a special favour by guaranteeing safety and security at the
nation’s airports.

“What we are saying is that no life is more important than the other,” he said.

“Before the present
PDP government is booted out by the people, they should at least ensure
that our airports, our roads and our towns and villages are safe enough
for everyone, including our candidates, and particularly during this
electioneering period.”

The PDP, however, described the position as a politics of bitterness, saying it is unjustified and in extreme bad taste.

“We call on Nigerians to disregard these malicious and libelous
insinuations. President Goodluck Jonathan has given his pledge to run a
decent, lawful and decorous campaign, where issues are discussed and
debated for the transformation of Nigeria. We urge the nation’s
aviation officials to do everything necessary to prevent any such
incident in future.” Mr. Dabo said.