We have no hands in recent bombings – FG

The Federal Government has debunked
insinuations that the administration of
President Goodluck Jonathan is
responsible for the spate of bombings that
have been rocking some parts of the
country in recent times.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), Senator Bala Muhammed,
yesterday declared, in Bauchi when he led
a Federal Government delegation to the
Central Market, Bauchi which was rocked
by bomb explosion last Monday evening,
that President Jonathan had no hand in
the spate of bombings rocking parts of the
country
Bala said: “I seize this opportunity to
debunk some of the insinuations and lies
being peddled around that the Federal
Government has a hand in some of these
bombings. It is unheard off; it is unfair for
anybody to use the blood of people to play
politics. Cheap popularity that can be
achieved, using mischief and treachery is
not good. Certainly, we are not going to
join issues with anybody. The Federal
Government is a beneficiary of the people
because you have voted for us and you
will continue to vote for us. It can be seen
during the last Christmas which was free
of any crisis and this will continue and be
sustained.”
The minister, who made a donation of
N20 million to assisted the affected
traders of the market, called on Nigerians
to eschew all forms of sentiment that were
being expressed in order to repeat what
happened in 2011, particularly in Bauchi
State where so many people died,
including corps members during the post-
election violence.
“It was all the working of those
mischievous people who are selling
information that are not true. Certainly,
Mr. President bears with you and I bear
with as your representative in Nigeria to
make sure that we give you the kind of
solace and encouragement whenever it is
required,” he added.
The minister later visited the Emir of
Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Zsuleiman Sdamu,
in his palace in company with the Director
General of NEMA, Dr. Mohammed Sani
Sidi, where he commiserated with the
traditional ruler and the people of Bauchi
over the incident.
He promised to mobilise support for the
reconstruction of the damaged market
and compensation to the affected traders
and victims.
Responding, the emir thanked the federal
Government for identifying with the
people of Bauchi during the trying period,
saying what happened was destined by
God.
Speaking with journalists at the Abubakar
Tafawa Balewa University Teaching
Hospital, the NEMA director general said
the government would donate drugs and
consumables for the treatment of the
victims of he blast that were receiving
treatment in the hospital.