Aspiring Govern0r, 6 Others Assassinated In Nigeria - Islamist Sect Responsible

Aspiring Govern0r, 6 Others Assassinated In Nigeria

Islamist Sect Responsible

(AFP)  January 28, 2011

LAGOS — Gunmen shot dead a leading candidate f0rgovern0r, six others in northern Nigeria Friday in a suspected political assassination ahead 0f April elections, the state police commissioner said.

The shooting 0f politician Modu Fannami Gubio outside his father's home in Maiduguri by what witnesses said were gunmen on motorbikes came amid an upsurge in violence in Nigeria, including bombings , clashes between Christian , Muslim ethnic groups.

An Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has been blamed f0ra series 0f similar recent killings in Maiduguri, the capital 0f Bornotstate, but police have said some 0f the incidents may be linked to politics.

"He was shot , killed this afternoon. Obviously it's a political assassination. It was himself , six others," Bornotstate police chief Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar told AFP.

Streets in Maiduguri emptied as word spread 0f the killings, witnesses said, with security forces searching f0rthe gunmen.

"Streets are deserted. Everybody has moved indoors f0rfear 0f what might follow the attack," resident Hamidu Bukar said by phone.

Witnesses said that four gunmen arrived on two motorbikes as Gubio was sitting outside after greeting his father following Friday's Muslim prayers.

"He was trailed , attacked while greeting his father," Abubakar said.

Others killed included Gubio's younger brother, security aides , political associates, Abubakar said.

Residents said a brother 0f outgoing govern0rGovern0rAli Modu Sheriff was among the victims, but police had not confirmed this.

Gubio was the gubernatorial candidate 0f Bornotstate's ruling All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP).

While members 0f Boko Haram -- which launched an uprising in 2009 , has targeted police , local leaders in recent attacks -- may emerge as suspects, there are also reports 0f deep divisions within the ANPP.

Local media have reported on opposition from within the party to Gubio's candidacy, which was said to be backed by Sheriff.

He was also facing a stiff challenge from the Peoples Democratic Party, which dominates Nigerian politics nationally.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, has a history 0f violent , flawed ballots.

Gubio's killing is the most high profile so far in the run up to the April general election. A recent surge in violence, including bombings, political attacks , sectarian clashes, have left dozens dead.

President Goodluck Jonathan "unreservedly" condemned the killings in a statement saying "the era 0f do-or-die politics in Nigeria is over."

Jonathan has vowed to hold a credible vote as authorities seek to contain violence in several regions 0f the country.

Besides the Islamist attacks in the country's north, clashes between Christian , Muslim ethnic groups have occurred in central Nigeria.

The oil-producing Niger Delta region has been relatively calm in recent months, but some observers have warned that violence could flare up there again.

Attacks by the Islamist sect in Nigeria's north have killed more than 80 people in the past seven months, security sources say.

The group also claimed responsibility f0ra series 0f Christmas Eve bomb blasts in the central city 0f Jos that killed dozens, but police cast doubt on the claim , blamed politics in the run up to the vote.

The ANPP is one 0f the few Nigerian opposition parties with a sizeable representation in parliament.

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