Aliyu stoned in Niger, smuggled out of stadium

IMMIDIATE past governor of Niger State, Dr.
Babangida Aliyu was yesterday booed and stoned at
the venue of the handing over ceremony in Minna.

Aliyu was at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium
for the transfer of power to his successor, Alhaji
Abubakar Sani Bello. The former governor, who
arrived at about 10.15 am was booed by the crowd as he
walked to the podium.

Shouts of ‘Barawo’, ‘thief’, ‘ole’, ‘change has come’,
‘your time has gone,” filled the air. Aliyu was not able
to present his farewell speech as a result of the ensuing
pandemonium. Even as he was seated at the pavilion,
stones and sachet water were hauled at him. As a
result of that, military men from 31 Artillery Brigade
were drafted to the stadium in search of those behind
the incidence.

It was gathered that former governor was earlier
advised against attending the ceremony to forestall such
occurrence. The new governor , Alhaji Abubakar Sani
Bello and his Deputy, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso were
administered the oath of office and allegiance by the
Chief Judge, Justice Lami Abubakar.

Immediately after the event tear-gas was shot into the
air leading to stampede. The former governor was
smuggled out of the stadium amidst tight security led by
the state Commissioner of Police to avoid being mobbed
by the crowd. The new Governor, Alhaji Abubakar
Sani Bello in his inaugural address
titled,”Repositioning the State For Peace and
Development,” said though he was taking over at a
critical period, all would be done to put smiles on the
faces of Nigerlites.

His words:”As the administration settles down, we will
examine the books and study what is being handed over
to us. As a follow up to the debt burden being
bequeathed to us by the outgoing administration,I will
like to use this opportunity to assure Nigerlites that
this administration will carry out a forensic audit to
determine our debt profile and bonds with a view to
determining how these funds were applied and for which
projects.’’