Borno APC, PDP disagree over thuggery allegation

From: Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

Less than a week to the general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party in Borno State has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state is sponsoring thugs to perpetrate violence aimed at disrupting the elections.

The Legal Adviser, Borno State PDP Gubernatorial and Legislators Campaign Council, Barrister Kashim Mustapha Haruna, expressed the allegation in a press statement signed by him.

Haruna alleged that APC had thrown the peace accord signed by all political parties in the state to the winds by instigating thugs to ignite violence aimed at disrupting the forthcoming elections.

“We wish to bring to the attention of the general public the unfortunate actions of thuggery and violence that is continuously being perpetrated by the APC against the legitimate and peaceful campaigns of the PDP in Borno

State,” he alleged.

Haruna alleged instances:

“On Sunday, 12th February, 2023, the convoy of the PDP comprising the Gubernatorial and other candidates of the party was attacked by sponsored thugs of the APC in Gwange I, II & III wards of Maiduguri, injured many PDP supporters and vandalized an uncountable number of vehicles in the convoy.

“Equally, on Tuesday, 14th February, 2023, the campaign rally of the party was disrupted and attacked by the same sponsored thugs of the APC in Bolori II ward of Maiduguri, as a result of which several party supporters sustained various degrees of injuries and more than 10 vehicles were vandalized by the APC thugs.” which is yet another example. Terrorists have no boundaries. Countries have to work together. You are fighting out of conviction and I hope you will continue to do so even after leaving office.

He also alleged that on Friday, January 27th the PDP campaign rally in Mafa Local Government was attacked by APC thugs.

“We reported the incident to the police authorities, but no single APC thug was arrested nor prosecuted,” Haruna said.

“You will be handing over but relations between our countries will continue. I commend your respect for term limits and I assure you that as AU Chairperson, I will be in attendance at your handing over.”

President Assoumani thanked President Buhari for the encouragement and support he received leading to his emergence as the leader of the continental body.

Nigeria’s box office records

N819m sales in January

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) says it recorded total sales of N819 million in January, across cinemas within the country.

Its National Chairman, Mr Ope Ajayi, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

“We had an increase in sales in January with N819,154,913.00. The month was a beautiful one, with 324,408 total number of admissions at the cinemas.

“The top five films for the month of January were: Battle on Buka Street, Ijakumo, Avatar, Black Panther and Plane.

“February promises to be better with thrilling and action packed films for the month,” he said.

Ajayi said that the films cinema lovers could watch out for in the month of February included: Titanic remastered, Antman vs Wasp quantumania, Cocaine bear, Luther, Die Hart and Love in a pandemic. (NAN)