The President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign
Organisation (BCO) was Wednesday, enmeshed in intense crisis over who
takes charge as national coordinator of the Organisation.
Although the face off had been going on for months, it climaxed
yesterday when the warring factions clashed over which one had the power
to celebrate the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from medical
vacation abroad.
One of the groups was led by Alhaji Danladi Pasalli, while the other by Alhaji Aminu Isa Bayero.
They converged at the secretariat for a press conference to speak on Buhari’s return and nationwide broadcast.
The Pasalli faction which arrived earlier at the venue, took control of the office and locked out the other group led by Bayero.
Bayero and his group invited the police and officials of the
Department of State Services (DSS) to retake the office for their
meeting, while the Bayero group also invited the police to the venue to
ensured that only members loyal to them had access into the building.
Briefing
newsmen on the development outside the gate, Bayero claimed that the
other faction broke into his office and carted away official documents
and other valuables.
“They had
already changed the padlocks and keys to the office. They even have that
case at the FCT Police Command for breaking into my office; they have
the case file there. The case is on-going. They broke into my office
and stole all the documents.
“We have not
been in the office for like two months because of the fasting period
and because our dear leader was away in London for medical treatment but
we resumed today. That is why you have seen us with the Police waiting
to attend this meeting.
“In fact,
impersonation is part of corruption in this country. I don’t want
anything fight, we need peace because of General Muhammadu Buhari. We
wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Police, we also sent it to the
State Security Service (SSS) to give us official approval to be attached
with security agents but when we arrived here, they had already locked
up this place and were inside,” he said.
But while
the North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Organization, Hon. Ubale
Marafa was addressing newsmen inside the office, three Policemen stormed
the hall and stopped the briefing while he was rounding off.
Marafa said the divine
healing of Buhari would go a long way in reducing the “needless
conspiracy theories” surrounding his health.
“On this note, we want
to specially appeal to all progressive minded Nigerians, lovers of
democracy and democratic dividends to rally round, support, join hands
with and help our loving and amiable President Muhammadu Buhari to
succeed by focusing on issues that are capable of uniting the country
rather than those that have the tendency to divide her and tear the
people apart,” he said.