How angry youths stoned governor, federal lawmakers in Katsina

Stones and shoes were used in attacking the dignitaries, including Bello Masari, governor of Katsina state; Abu Ibrahim, senator representing Katsina south, and Amiru Tukur, member representing Bakori/Danja in the house of representatives on Saturday.

According to NAN, the politicians were mobbed at a political event organised by the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Funtua.

It took combined teams of security personnel to rescue notable politicians who came under attack.

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.

The event was a rally for accepting defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and other parties.

However, it ended abruptly.

Trouble started when some youths started chanting ‘Bamaso Abu Ibrahim’ (We don’t want Senator Abu Ibrahim) and then started throwing stones and shoes at dignitaries and entertainers invited to perform at the event.

Tukur suffered injury while Ibrahim, along with some of his aides and supporters, who were trying to rescue the senator, were also assaulted.

Before proceedings descended into chaos, Masari had urged party members to promote the party’s manifesto.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to giving proactive leadership that would turn around things for the better in the state.

He said the government would ensure increased investments in education, health, water supply, agriculture among other areas.

In his remark, the Katsina state chairman of the APC, Shitu Shitu, said thousands of people were trooping to the party based on its achievements, adding that similar rally was organised in Dutsi local government for Katsina north senatorial zone recently.

He assured the new members of fair treatment in the party affairs.

Speaking on behalf of those who defected, a former chairman of Malumfashi local government area, Mansur Banki, said he led more than 5,000 persons to join the APC from the PDP because of the good programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari and Masari.