The Elders Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau State has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stand up to his moral and constitutional responsibilities as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to protect Nigerians and the land from ruthless and inhuman attacks.
The Elders made this call in a communique issued after exhaustive deliberations on a number of issues, including the security situation in Plateau State in particular and the country at large.
Reading the communique on behalf of the Forum, the Chairman, Ambassador Fidelis N. Tapgun, insisted that the perpetrators and sponsors of these heinous crimes against humanity be arrested and brought to justice, according to the rule of law.
Tapgun said the meeting noted with great pains the senseless killings recently experienced in Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area and Bokkos Local Government Area.
Lamenting that the incessant butchering of humans and attendant destruction of homes and properties of the ordinary citizens of Nigeria from Plateau State to Kaduna, Benue, Nassarawa, Taraba, Adamawa and Zamfara States among other places, the Elders said it had gone on for too long with no concrete plan or clear roadmap to suggest that the Government is serious beyond the assurances and promises.
They said: “We need more than assurances and promises of tracking down these criminals by the President. We note that much as these assurances are needed, they have become irrelevant in the face of continues attacks that have claimed countless lives.
“It is lamentable that communities can be attacked and hundred slaughtered for over 48 hours without any immediate provision of rescue efforts. This obviously points to the fact that the Nation’s security system has been compromised, and that government lacks the will and capacity to resolve these challenges to peace and security.
“Yet, as clearly provided for in our Constitution, ‘the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government’ (Section 14 (2b), 1999 Constitution As Amended. The frequency and quantum of these despicable bloodletting attacks on innocent communities makes a mockery of the much taunted ‘Security’ Mantra of the present administration. We also find the mockery of the sanctity of human life totally unacceptable and stands vehemently condemned.
“We demand the immediate pursuit of the criminals under whatever guise or name, the disarmament of the occupied Communities and rehabilitation of Rankum (Mahanga) Fass, Gashish, Shong, Tanti and Exland (Gindin Akwati), all in Barkin Ladi LGA, amongst others in the State.
“This is the only full proof guarantee of their safety and security, and the only way to rebuild confidence in their leader as one capable of defending them at all times.
“We frown at any move, indirectly or directly, to hide the reality on ground.
“We mourn with the Plateau people, and indeed, Nigerians, the unacceptable deaths of these innocents Nigerians. We express our deep condolences to the families, the people and leaders of the affected communities, and pray that their deaths will ignite a resolve on our part to rise up against evil and the wanton wasting of precious lives.”
On zoning of the state’s governorship, Tapgun said the meeting noted with satisfaction the resolution of the State Executive Committee to zone it and other notable positions in government for the purposes of the 2019 general elections.
He said: “We commend the courage of the State Working Committee in contemplating zoning in the first instance, and invite all Party Faithful to join hands with the leadership of this great Party and work assiduously to take back power in the elections ahead.
“We equally call on the Leadership to create a level plain field to all aspirants to the various offices and positions as a safeguard towards avoiding what they failed the Party in 2015.”
Tapgun frowned at consistent extension of the tenure of Local Government Transition Committees in Plateau State, saying it is a rape on democracy by forcing leaders on the people at the third tier of government.
He said: “This seemingly unending unconstitutional tenure of transition committee since 2016 is clearly a mockery of the much talked about peace the APC government claims to have brought with their inauguration in 2015.
“We commend the PDP members of the State House of Assembly for opposing this unconstitutional extension of the tenure of the Management Committees as they have once again demonstrated the Party’s resolve to stand with democratic ethos and the Rule of law.”
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