Barring any last minute change in plan, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential rally earlier fixed for Monday (today) in Damaturu, Yobe State will no longer hold.
President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and other top officials of the PDP were earlier scheduled to take the President’s re-election campaign to Gombe and Damaturu today.
PUNCH correspondent however learnt that a decision to call off the Damaturu rally was taken on Saturday after members of the President’s advance team had already arrived the state capital.
When asked why the rally was put off, the official simply said, "unfavourable security report."
The top Presidency official told PUNCH correspondent that when it became clear that the rally would no longer hold as scheduled, members of the President’s advanced team left Damaturu for Abuja on Sunday.
He said the team had left the town before an explosion was recorded in front of the residence of the PDP candidate for the Potiskum/Nangere Federal Constituency in the state, Sabo Garbu, opposite the Federal Government College in the town.
He said they were still in Damaturu when they heard information that insurgents were again making attempts to overrun Maiduguri, the Bormo State capital.
The source however said the President would still make the Gombe trip except he changed his mind at the last minute.
He could also not say whether the campaign train would still visit Damaturu before the grand finale billed for Abuja on Saturday.
By the PDP timetable, the campaign train is expected to visit Minna and Lokoja on Tuesday; Benin and Asaba on Wednesday; and Yenagoa on Thursday before rounding it off on Saturday in Abuja.
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