EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan calls Buhari over blast

President Goodluck Jonathan has spoken with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on the phone over the bomb attack that nearly claimed the life of the leading opposition figure, TheCable understands.

This telephone conversation came a day after Jonathan’s camp and Buhari had exchanged hot words over the impeachment proceedings against some opposition governors.

In the couple of bombings in Kaduna on Wednesday which claimed scores of lives, Buhari escaped death when his convoy was caught in a blast at Kawo area of the city while he was on the way to his hometown, Daura, in Katsina State.

Buhari described it as an assassination attempt. His vehicle was completely destroyed and several people were killed, although his security aides also survived the attack.

TheCable learnt that the president put a call through to Buhari on Wednesday evening to express his sympathy with the former head of state.

Details of the conversation are sketchy, but TheCable was informed that the president promised a thorough investigation into the incident.

The conversation was said to be “warm, cordial and sincere” by a source in the know.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, although initial suspicion will link it to Boko Haram which has reportedly made attempts on the life of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who repeatedly criticises the activities of the insurgents.

The first blast on Wednesday was close to the venue of the Ramadan lecture which Bauchi gave.

Buhari has also been critical of Boko Haram but he was not thought to be at risk of an attack.

Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati issued a statement describing the attacks as an attempt to “inflame passions”.