Kaduna Airport Attack: “Buhari Fiddles While Nigeria Burns” – PDP

By Adesina Soyooye

Nigeria’s main opposition Party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP,  says President Muhammadu Buhari has abdicated from his duties, and ceded the sovereignty of Nigeria to Terrorists.

The PDP was reacting to the alarming invasion of the Kaduna International Airport, on Saturday, March 27, 2022, by armed terrorists.

They had, shockingly, in their scores, riding motorcycles, well armed, invaded the Airport through Runway 05 axis, and prevented an Azman Aircraft, billed to operate  its first flight, Kaduna – Lagos route, from operating. This was about 7.30am.

The terrorists, also, shot and killed a staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, NAMA, for allegedly raising an alarm when he first sighted them.

A video of the attack, which has gone viral on Whatsaap platform, showed the terrorists cruising freely on the tarmac, while the crew of the Azman Aircraft and passengers were frozen in shock, as were all workers and passengers at the Airport.

It took the quick intervention of troops of the Military and other Security Agents at the Airport to repel them, and curtail a Nation’s embarrassment.

The PDP took exception to the fact that the ruling Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, continued with its National Convention  in Abuja, with Buhari present, while the Airport was under attack. The PDP was even more shocked that Buhari did not say a word on the incident at the Convention, but instead, carried on as if nothing happened.

In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba,  the PDP noted  that the brazen attack on the international airport is “A clear confirmation that our nation’s security, command control structure under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC), administration has completely collapsed.”

It also condemned Buhari’s silent reaction to the Airport invasion. “President Buhari’s failure to address the Kaduna Airport attack, is consistent with his characteristic abdication of duty at critical times.

“It is indefensibly suspicious that while an international airport in our country was under attack by over 200 terrorists, with many Nigerians being held hostage and traumatized, President Buhari and the APC, continued in their carnival in Abuja without acknowledging or expressing concern”, the PDP said.

Following is the full text of the Press Statement by the PDP.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts that the Saturday, March 26, 2022 invasion of the Kaduna International Airport by terrorists (code-named bandits by the APC) is a clear confirmation that our nation’s security, command and control structure under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has completely collapsed.

“The alarming invasion of the airport by terrorists at a time outlaws, kidnappers and marauders have taken over our highways and railways has further heightened security concerns that nowhere is safe in the country under the APC.

“The refusal and failure of President Buhari and the APC to take action on the airport attack but continued to jamboree in Abuja in the name of a National Convention reveal and confirm that the Buhari administration has conceded sovereignty over parts of our country to terrorists.

“President Buhari’s nonchalant disposition to this grave security challenge indicates that his administration is unable, unwilling and or complicit in this particular attack as well as various other acts of terrorism in our country.

“It is indefensibly suspicious that while an international airport in our country was under attack by over 200 terrorists with many Nigerians being held hostage and traumatized, President Buhari and the APC continued in their carnival in Abuja without acknowledging or expressing concern. Is this not a case of “Buhari fiddles while Nigeria burns?”

“The APC government has failed, become numb to violence against our citizens and can no longer perform its primary duty under Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which provides that “security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

“President Buhari’s failure to address the Kaduna Airport attack is consistent with his characteristic abdication of duty at critical times. Nigerians can recall how in January this year, Mr. President cancelled his scheduled visit to Zamfara State, a state that is daily traumatized by terrorists.

“By that action, Mr. President allowed shared sovereignty with terrorists over a part of the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This acquiesce emboldened the terrorists to now expand their control to the international airport in Kaduna ostensibly with the possibility of using it to import arms and ammunition as well as coordinate terrorist activities in our country.

“One of the main features or determinants of sovereignty is the ability of an authority to impose taxes, enforce collection, control commercial activities as well as exit and entry points including airports.

“Under President Buhari terrorists have established sovereignty in substantial parts of the country especially in the North West and North East regions, where terrorists execute laws and impose penalties, collect taxes, control commercial and transportation activities and now scaringly take control of an international airport with grave negative consequences to our national image in the world.

“Our country has never had it this bad with such a weak, uncoordinated and clueless President with an inhumane, visionless and propaganda-driven political party like the APC.

“Nigerians should therefore rally round the PDP in our mission to rescue our nation from the precipice and restore the unity and security of her people.”