The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday reacted angrily to the assertion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the sponsors of Boko Haram activities are friends of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in reference to the revelation made by Australian negotiator, Stephen Davis on Arise TV, said those financing the insurgents dine and wine with the President.
Chief Oyegun, also called on President Jonathan to summon courage by handing a former governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Modu-Sheriff and a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen, Azubuike Ihejirika, over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution.
But, in his reaction, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, accused the APC leadership of ignoring some of the revealing aspects of Dr. Davis’ interview concerning Boko Haram’s funding and sponsorship, asking “is it because they are not favourable to them?
The ruling party contended that rather than exonerate the APC, Oyegun’s statement has rather reinforced and underscored its true identity as a party of desperate politicians supportive of violence and disunity through their utterances and body language, a fact that is already well known to all Nigerians.
According to Metuh, “In trying to stand the truth on its head, Oyegun has succeeded in further exposing the desperation of the APC to launder its image through renewed propaganda and blackmail, a project which has already failed.
“If not to achieve the self-serving purpose of exonerating the APC, why would Oyegun’s statement choose to be silent on the revelation by Davis that some people opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan used their connections to Boko Haram to frustrate his efforts?
“While not holding brief for anybody, it is clear to every discerning mind that Oyegun’s statement, with all intent and purpose is yet another decoy to frustrate genuine effort at finding solution to the security challenges we face as a nation to the advantage of the APC whose penchant to use the promoting of violence as tool to achieve political control is well known to all”.
The PDP recalled how the APC fought against moves by the British Parliament to investigate its involvement with terrorist elements as well as to divert attention from their meetings outside the shores of our country in their bid to promote insurgency in Nigeria.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to restate that we stand by our statements that the APC as a party with a Janjaweed ideology has been promoting insurgency and acts of terrorism through the actions and utterances of its leaders. Indeed, no amount of blackmail or propaganda can erase this truth,” the party insisted.
Metuh, lambasted the APC national chairman, saying Oyegun should stop debasing his office by struggling for media space with his National Publicity Secretary.
He stated further, “It is indeed disheartening that the APC National Chairman has continued to disparage his office and age by making series of unguarded and inflammatory utterances and issuing statements laced with fabrications and wild allegations while leading his party like a frustrated rebel group desperate for political control; and whose understanding of
opposition is crass unruliness and a culture of irresponsibility.
“Chief Oyegun has only succeeded in disappointing many Nigerians who thought his coming to office will result in a more responsible and constructive opposition. Instead, the reprehensible image of the APC as a party that has nothing good to offer has worsened under his watch.
“In the last two months, he has made more incendiary statements aimed to incite the people and balkanize the nation than any other opposition chairman has done. The threat to form a parallel government and other inflammatory statements at APC events readily come to mind.
“Our advice to the opposition is that they should learn to properly comport themselves, eschew bitterness, desperation and divisive tendencies and think of how to make meaningful contributions to tackle the challenges facing the nation.
“On his own part, Chief Oyegun, as a former state governor should retrace his steps and strive to be nationalistic and statesmanlike and comport himself as an opposition leader. For now, he is a little more than a glorified media assistant. A word is enough for the wise”.
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