Maiduguri the Borno state capital was today hit by multiple bomb blast killing 3 soldiers and injuring four others as eight opposition party governors converge in the troubled city.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that unspecified numbers of civilians were also killed as a result of the explosion which left many residents scampering to safty.
The explosion which was said to have been planted by suspected Boko Haram sect at a time 8 Nigerian governors were having closed door meeting, made security operative who were at the Government House venue of the meeting to be on alert ready to defend their principals.
But Sources from the Maiduguri government house reveal that ” the Department of State Security Services (SSS) had warned the state government over the impending attack but unfortunately the intelligence report was treated with levity”
” In as much as I sympathise with those who lost their lives in the separate bomb blast, thank God the explosion did not happen close to the venue of the meeting because only God knows what would have happened.”. The source said.
Meanwhile, the governors in their communique said the All Progressive Congress (APC) working assiduous and awaiting other political leaders from across other party especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “most of the leaders in PDP are members of APC waiting for the right time.”
Addressing reporters in Maiduguri shortly after the meeting, Lagos state governor , Babatunde Raji Fashola , said the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) must return to its appropriate line, “it is a forum of governors across party line.”
Governor Fashola said it was important to understand that at moments of national crisis the forum has stood up to point a way forward and to chart a path especially during the periods of doctrine of necessity, the fuel crisis, teachers crisis.
“We the progressives have resolved that anybody that mean well for the nation has to understand that we can only strengthen this forum, the institution of the Governors Forum.”
Also speaking, Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha said that the door of the party is not locked on anyone yet as it is still in its formative stage.
” As you know this is a big party coming up and Nigerians have not had it this good. Like all my colleagues have said APC is a child of necessity simply because Nigerians are tired of PDP.
“They want something new and I assure you that most of the leaders in PDP are members of APC waiting for the right time.”
The governor therefore donated N200 million naira to the victims of Boko Haram crises in Yobe and Borno States to cushion their sufferings.
Those present at the meeting include host governor Kashim Shettima (Borno), Adams Oshoimole (Edo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Raji Fashola (Lagos), Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), and the deputy governor of Yobe State Engr. Abubakar Aliyu.