• Ex-VP launches portal to allow Nigerians question him directly
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has raised questions about Vice President Kashim Shettima’s role in the 2012 arrest of convicted Boko Haram member, Kabiru Sokoto, at Borno State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, when Shettima was governor of the state.
Ibe raised the issue yesterday, a day after Shettima criticised Atiku during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
At the event on Wednesday, Shettima took a swipe at Atiku over his repeated attempts to become president and his references to President Bola Tinubu by his first name.
The vice president said Atiku, who had contested the presidency several times, was “no Abraham Lincoln” and compared him to the late Kenyan politician Oginga Odinga.
He also stated that anyone aspiring to the presidency should demonstrate respect for public institutions.
In response, Ibe drew attention to an incident from Shettima’s time as governor of Borno State, questioning how a man later convicted over the deadly 2011 Christmas Day bombing in Madalla gained access to the governor’s official residence.
In his post on X, Ibe wrote, “How did a notorious Boko Haram terrorist gain access to the official residence of a sitting governor?
“Vice President Kashim Shettima cannot escape questions about an extraordinary incident that occurred while he governed Borno State between 2011 and 2019.”
Kabiru Sokoto was arrested at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, in January 2012, following investigations into the bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, on December 25, 2011.
The attack killed at least 37 people and injured dozens of others. Sokoto was convicted over the bombing in December 2013 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Highlighting the circumstances of the arrest, Ibe wrote, “Read that again. A man subsequently convicted for his involvement in one of Nigeria’s most horrifying terrorist attacks was arrested at the official lodge of the governor of the state that was the epicentre of Boko Haram’s bloody insurgency.”
The Borno State government had denied knowing Sokoto was at the lodge, describing his presence as a serious security breach.
However, Ibe stated that the explanation did not remove the need for further questions about how the incident happened and what followed.
He stated, “An official denial does not eliminate the legitimate questions arising from such an extraordinary incident.
“Who authorised access to the lodge? Who accommodated the visitors? What did subsequent investigations establish? Were any officials sanctioned? And why has the full account of this troubling episode not been placed before Nigerians?”
Ibe insisted that his concerns were about accountability rather than religious or ethnic differences, saying, “These are questions of public accountability, not religious or ethnic prejudice.”
Atiku Launches Portal to Allow Nigerians Question Him Directly
Meanwhile, the ADC presidential candidate unveiled a new online platform, Ask AA, to allow Nigerians to question him directly about his political agenda, public service record, and plans for the country.
The platform was scheduled to go live at 8:30pm yesterday.
According to a statement by Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the portal would give citizens the opportunity to ask questions about the economy, security, technology, job creation, and Atiku’s proposals for making life more affordable.
The platform is free to access, with Atiku expected to respond personally to questions, while members of his media team will also assist in providing answers.
The initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between the presidential candidate and voters by providing a direct channel through which Nigerians can seek information about his policies and positions on issues affecting the country.
Explaining the idea behind the platform, Shaibu said the initiative was designed to bring Atiku closer to the electorate through a practical, problem-solving approach.
He added that the platform reflected the ADC candidate’s commitment to using modern technology to improve governance and make government more efficient, secure, and effective.
Atiku also explained the motivation behind the initiative in a post on his social media accounts, describing leadership as a two-way conversation between those in positions of authority and the people they serve.
He said governance had remained distant from ordinary Nigerians for too long, adding that citizens should have the opportunity to question their leaders and contribute ideas towards national development.