The Nation, Activist Lose Bid To Quash N750m Libel Judgement

News

The bid by The Nation Newspapers and an Akure based activist, Morakinyo Ogele, to overturn the judgement of an Ado Ekiti High Court which awarded N750 million against them in favour of a journalist and Lawyer, Mr. Segun Ilori hit the rocks, as another High court Judge ruled that the libel judgement was valid.

Ruling on two applications by Ogele, The Nation and Victor Ifijeh, the managing Director of the newspaper, the judgment debtors/Applicants, that the judgement of the court should be annulled based on denial of fair hearing and lack of jurisdiction by the High court which earlier gave the judgment, Justice A. L Ogunmoye held that the Applicants did not place before the court any cogent facts to support their case.

He said the records before him and the affidavits deposed by the claimant showed that the court gave the applicants fair hearing and they were represented by lawyers who also filed processes in the case.

According to the judge: “It was not in doubt that Mr. M. P. Ogele who was the 3rd defendant in the suit entered conditional appearance for all the defendants on 19/5/11. He later proceeded to file a statement of defence which he further amended on 14/6/11. Though Mr. M.P. Ogele later withdrew his appearance for the Applicants, there was no record that the processes which he filed on behalf of the applicants were ever withdrawn.

“The processes were still active in the case file as at the time judgement was delivered on 17 / 5/13.

“It would not be convenient for me to say that the judgement of Fowe J delivered on 17/5/13 was a default judgement… It is also instructive to note that the motion on notice HAD/267/12 that was said not to have been heard was actually determined in that it was struck out before judgement was delivered.”

While dismissing their motions, the judge ruled that the judgement was not a default judgement, adding that the issues canvassed by the debtors could only be considered at the Appeal court.

Recall that an Ado Ekiti High Court had in May last year awarded the sum of N750 million damages against The Nation newspapers and an Akure based activist, Morakinyo Ogele for libel and defamation published against Mr. Segun Ilori, a lawyer, journalist and former Chief of staff to the Ekiti State Governor.

The defendants were also ordered to publish an apology in three national newspapers for the defamatory publication in The Nation of Wednesday 12 May 2010 headlined: “Lawyer petitions NJC over bribery allegation Against Election Tribunal Judges”.

In the judgement delivered on Friday 17 May 2013, Justice Adewale .K Fowe, held that Ilori had proved his case having led evidence unchallenged by defendants. He said claimant’s evidence, those of his witnesses and the exhibits submitted showed that the publication was false, malicious, defamatory and injured his reputation.

Call me Boko Haram godfather, risk libel, Buhari tells PDP

News

A former head of state and a chief of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), has issued a seven-day
ultimatum to the Peoples Democratic Party, to retract its wild accusation linking him with the Boko Haram terrorist acts, tender an unreserved public apology to him or face a legal action.

In a statement personally signed in Kaduna on Thursday Buhari said, “I cannot sit back and allow my image, and that of my political party be smeared by falsehood in the name of politics.”

He said the widely publicised and very serious allegations made against him by the PDP and its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, to the effect that his utterances were responsible for the current state of insecurity and terrorism bedeviling Nigeria, were absolutely without basis.

The former Head of State said, ”To support his claim, Metuh engaged in twisted logic and outright distortion – which he called facts – in which he said that I, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, beckoned on my ‘supporters to go on lynching spree’ should I lose the 2011 presidential election, as a result of which ‘an unprecedented violence broke out claiming the lives of hundreds of innocent people’.

”I take very serious exception to this grave accusation against me by the PDP Publicity Secretary. It is a false allegation aimed at tarnishing my image and reputation in the hope of destroying my political and electoral standings, and that of my party, the APC, in the country.

”Firstly, it is public knowledge that Boko Haram as a terror organisation long preceded the 2011 presidential elections. My utterances or lack of them on the 2011 presidential election could not therefore have created nor sustained the Boko Haram insurgency.

”Secondly, the PDP Government of President Goodluck Jonathan constituted the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Panel of Inquiry to investigate and report on the post-election violence in some parts of the country. The panel discharged its duties within its terms of reference and submitted its Report to the President. This Report was accepted by government and a Whitepaper issued.

“Nowhere in that Report, a product of thorough investigation of that unfortunate incident, was I mentioned in the remotest way to have uttered a word or acted in any form or manner that sparked off the violence. If I had, certainly that investigation would have uncovered it. The truth is that I had not.

”Thirdly, 2011 was not the first time I contested a presidential election and was declared defeated, it was the third! If I had had no cause to ‘beckon on my supporters to go on lynching spree’ in the two previous occasions, I would have had no cause to change in 2011 – and I did not.”

The APC chief said the PDP National Publicity Secretary also deliberately misquoted the interview he gave in Hausa on May 14, 2012 in which he said the opposition was determined to fight in the 2015 elections.

Buhari added, ”I used the Hausa idiom ‘Kare jini, Biri jini’, which is a metaphor for a very tough fight. But, like the Islamic fundamentalist toga they falsely put on me because they cannot impinge on my personal and professional integrity, PDP apologists deliberately twisted this idiom to mean I called for violence.

”I am not a violent person and, other than my professional calling as a soldier, I have never associated with violence, I abhor violence and have never advocated it. I have always been a law abiding person, who insists on due process and the rule of law in all my private and public affairs.

APC Govs shun security meeting summoned by Jonathan

News

Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday shunned a meeting called by President Goodluck Jonathan to address the security challenges facing the country.

As at the time the meeting started at the First Lady’s Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at about 2pm, 15 Peoples Democratic Party governors, one All Progressives Grand Alliance governor, one Labour Party governor, two PDP deputy governors and an acting governor were in attendance.

The meeting presided over by the President also had Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim; and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) in attendance.

Governors in attendance include: Gabriel Suswan (Benue), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Isa Yuguda(Bauchi), Theodore Orji (Abia), Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Idris Wada (Kogi).

Others are Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Garba Umar (Acting governor, Taraba), John Jonah (Deputy Governor, Bayelsa) and Kebbi State Rear Deputy Governor,

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (retd.), Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Director-General of State Security Service, Ita Ekpeyong; Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs; as well as Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.

The Military lied about school girls' rescue- Principal, parents

News



The    Principal of the secondary school in Chibok, Borno State where over 100 girls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents has described as false, the claim by the Defence Headquarters that only eight of the pupils had yet to regain their freedom.The denial on Thursday by the   principal, Mrs. Asabe Aliyu, was corroborated by the parents of the girls, who said the military had by the DHQ’s claim shown that it could not  be trusted to free their children and wards.The DHQ spokesman, Maj.Gen. Chris Olukolade, had said on Wednesday that out of the “129 girls” kidnapped, only eight were still missing.He was also quoted as having said that soldiers who freed the pupils released them to the principal.But Aliyu told the British Broadcasting Corporation  Hausa Service news monitored in Maiduguri, that apart from the 14 girls who escaped from their abductors on Monday night, she was not aware that any other  had been released.She  said  the claim by  the military was “a blatant lie because  I have not spoken to the Defence Headquarters spokesman.”The parents of the abducted students also on Thursday came hard on the military, saying they were willing to go in search of them since the military had shown it could not be trusted.The parents had after the news from Defence Headquarters thronged the school premises expecting to take their daughters home only to be told that they had not been freed.One of the parents, who spoke to the BBC, said, “We were disappointed with the statement coming from Defence Headquarters’ spokesman that the girls were rescued.  Our children are still in  the  bush and if the military has failed, we will go after the insurgents ourselves even if it means sacrificing our lives.”As the denials came, Olukolade insisted that the principal gave the information that nearly all the girls had been freed.He however said the military would reconcile the claims after which a clear response would be given.“We want to reconcile the issues, when we do so, then we will speak on it,” the DHQ spokesman added.Olukolade noted also that the military was intensifying efforts to ensure that those still in the abductors’ den were freed.But the   Borno State Government yesterday said that as of Thursday, it had taken custody of 30 girls.The remaining 99, it added, might be with the military rescue team.The State Commissioner for Education,   Musa Kubo, who made this known in an e-mail to journalists explained that apart from the 14 who had earlier fled   the insurgents’ camp, 16 others were brought in by their parents.The commissioner’s mail read, “I am right at the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, the scene of the unfortunate abduction. At the moment we have taken custody of 30 girls.“There is an increase of 16 students whose parents returned them to school after they ran home on the day of the attack. We had made announcements and called on parents whose children and wards ran home. “The aim is for us to take proper account of our 129 pupils who were in the hostel on the day of that unfortunate attack. You may recall that 14 pupils had earlier escaped from captivity as explained by Governor Shettima on Wednesday. “By our records of 129 pupils being at the hostel at the time of that unfortunate incident, we are expecting the return of about 99 pupils who might be among those said to have been rescued by the military.“Myself, the principal of the school, parents, other pupils and residents are awaiting the return of our pupils. We have no reason to doubt or contradict Wednesday’s announcement by the Defence Headquarters, given the fact that the Military personnel are those leading the search and rescue operations along with civilian volunteers.“We are very hopeful that perhaps, the freed pupils are safely with the military and being brought to us. We pray that not just all our pupils return in good health but also all the security agents and volunteers safely return in good health after a successful and patriotic rescue effort.”He however appealed to “parents to remain prayerful and hopeful that by the grace of God all the pupils will return to us in good health.”Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima had on Wednesday said his government would give N50m to anyone that could provide an information that could lead to the release of the female pupils.


Punch

Jonathan accuses Kwankwaso of diverting LG allocations

News

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Tuesday in Kano blew open the
political rivalry between him and Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as he
graphically told the world how Kwankwaso worked against his political
interest in 2011.

President Jonathan also accused Kwankwaso of diverting Local Government
allocations and taking credit of Federal Government projects in Kano.

It will be recall that Governor Kwankwaso had given reasons why
Kano people would not welcome Jonathan to the state accusing him of
marginalizing the people of the ancient city.

Kwankwaso also regretted voting for Jonathan in 2011, but President
Jonathan declared on Tuesday that Kwankwaso has always worked against his
political interest.

“I am regretting for voting President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011
Presidential Election, as he has done nothing to move the nation forward.
Only a few people are enjoying in Nigeria at the expense of the
generality of the citizenry” Kwankwaso had said.

The President insisted that, “PDP must recapture Kano in 2015.”

He further challenged Governor Kwankwaso to account for over N225 billion
Local Government funds he received from the Federal Allocation within two
years.

“We read in some of the Daily Newspapers that the Governor of Kano state,
Kwankwaso, said he regretted voting for me. Let me tell my good people of
Kano that Kwankwaso did not vote for me or Vice President Namadi Sambo
whether in the primaries or the main election.

“We have accommodated a lot, but we talk less. Those of you from Kano in
PDP knew what happened that when we entered that Eagle Square; by the time
the counting got up to half-way—when it was clear that I was to emerge as
the candidate, Kwankwaso left the venue.

“Even the little money my campaign office provided for refreshment and
transportation for Kano delegates, Kwankwaso refused to give them that
money. He did that so that the Kano delegates will be angry, so that they
would not vote for me.

“Even in the main election, the little money my campaign office sent to
Kano state, Kwankwaso refused to release that money to anybody; now, how
can Kwankwaso tell me that he voted for me,” President Jonathan wondered.

“Some of you will be asking questions why is it that today, your President
is not wearing the PDP dress; I decided to appear this way because there
is somebody here in Kano who has been campaigning that the person wearing
this bowler hat is a devil.

“I am here to tell you briefly what the Federal Government has done to
Kano people and I want you to ask yourself whether such a person who has
been able to do all these things for you be a devil.

“Federal Government has taken Kano as a major focus for its agricultural
transformation agenda. The farmers of Kano are benefitting enormously from
Federal Government Growth Enhancement Scheme.

In the last two years, a total of 760,000 farmers in Kano state have
benefitted from the Federal Government’s subsidized fertilizer programme
and free improved seeds for maize and rice.”

President Jonathan also revealed that over 70 percent of Kano farmers are
benefitting from Federal Government’s fertilizer subsidy scheme also
stated that within a period of two years, about 76, 000 metric tons of
subsidized fertilizer have been supplied to Kano farmers.

President Jonathan also used the occasion to send his condolence to the
families of those who lost their lives in last Monday’s Abuja bomb blast.

“Let me at this point express my deepest condolence again to the family
members of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast in Abuja on
Monday. I was at the scene of the incident, I also visited the hospitals,
but I was so shocked that I couldn’t even talk.

“Again, I express my condolence to the direct family members of the
victims and, indeed, the whole country; and I want to re-emphasize that
terror will not stop Nigeria from moving. We will continue to move from
strength to strength. We also continue to encourage security agencies. We
are looking at different options and we promise Nigerians that we will do
our best and we will continue to do our best to make sure that we live
peacefully in this country,” Jonathan said.

President Jonathan expressed appreciation to Kano people for the warm
reception accorded to him, saying, “let me thank the good people of Kano
state for the reception. From the airport to this venue, people lined up
to welcome us.”

While formally welcoming Shekarau, President Jonathan described him as a
man of the people, “you all know Shekarau very well. He is the man of the
people, When he was a governor, he was a member of ANPP, I visited him two
or three times as the Vice President of the PDP; but because Shekarau is a
Nigerian, a well-learned man, an intelligent man, he received me in all
the occasions I came here.

“These are the kind of people that Kano needs to project and follow. We
thank Shekarau for joining the PDP today. He is fully welcomed and fully
integrated into the party,” President Jonathan said.
Malam Shekarau during his speech, he described the day as memorable and
promised to protect and promote the interest of the Kano masses so long
as he remain in politics no matter the party platform.

“As long as I remain in politics, I will be dedicated and do all within my
ability and capability to remain loyal to the party so as to do everything
within our power to show our solidarity and support to the party.

“I wish, first of all to pledge my commitment and that of my new members
who made the choice to join PDP with me; to work ardently together with
the party the achieve the ideals of democracy, inclusion and development
to which our dear party, PDP, is committed at the Local, State and
national level.”

Among those in President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s entourage include Vice
President Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, Deputy Speaker,
House of Representatives, Chief Ikedioha, chairman PDP Governors Forum,
Godswill Akpabio, Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina states, Governor
Dakingari of Kebbi state, National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu, Minister
of Information Labaran Maku, among others.

200 female students abducted in Borno

News

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday abducted no fewer than 100 girls at the Senior Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, following a violent attack in the town.

But the BBC quoted parents to have told it’s Hausa service that at least 200 girls were abducted.

Eyewitnesses said the girls who were in school preparing for their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination were abducted at about 3.00am.

Mr Joseph Walama, a resident, said the attackers numbering about 50, stormed the town in a convoy of Toyota Hilux vehicles before unleashing terror on residents.

“They arrived in the town at about 10.00pm in a convoy of no fewer than seven Hilux vehicles and took control of the town and set fire on residential and public buildings,” Walama said.

He said some of the attackers engaged in mass looting of food items, while others harassed residents at will.

“Then suddenly they headed for the Senior Secondary School, Chibok, which is a WAEC examination centre.

“Some of the teachers and students took to their heels on sighting them, but they eventually abducted those who remained in the hostel.

“They packed food items and the students into an abandoned lorry before heading for the Sambisa forest,” he said.

The Borno Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Lawal Tanko, confirmed the attack, but said he did not have details of the incident.

Punch.

Senate condemned Nyanyan Bomb blast

News

The Senate on Monday condemned the early morning bomb blast at the Nyanya motor park.

It described the blast, which left scores dead in the sprawling suburb of the Abuja city centre as callous and wickedly.

Former governor of Kwara State Senator Bukola Saraki also condemned the attack even as he called for a joint meeting of leaders from all political divides , religious and opinion leaders to deliberate on the nation’s security plight.

A statement by the Senate Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in Abuja said the bomb blast, which claimed scores of lives is one incident by the evil minds that should prick Nigeria’s collective consciousness.

Senate he said is worried at the dimension the orgy of terrorists attacks and its devilish activities is assuming.

“The Senate bleeds also on the very harrowing fact that innocent lives of Nigerians, whose only sin is to go out to look for their daily bread would be so slaughtered in this manner.

“Senate is still bemoaning the unending massacre of our people in some states in the North East, the latest being the killings in Borno state on Sunday and now this one”, he said.

The Senate according to Abaribe is calling on the security agencies to step up their game and be more proactive, because the country cannot continue in this way.

“The blame game should be over, the security agencies must step up their game and be more proactive. The country is indeed bleeding of the blood of her innocent ones who are daily being cut down by the evil minds.

“Senate therefore, consoles the families of the dead and wish the wounded quick recovery while also urging Nigerians to remain steadfast as the Government intensifies effort to tackle the ugly menace “, he said.

In his condemnation, Senator Saraki said in a statement issued on Monday, “Yet again, we are faced with another great loss of innocent lives at the hands of terrorists in Nigeria.

“It’s baffling and heartbreaking that scores have been feared dead on a Monday morning attack in Nyanya overhead bridge in the outskirt of Abuja; the growing insecurity which has spanned over three years unabated has threatened the unity of the nation, and weaken our socio-economic and political strength.

“It is unfortunate that in the face of this growing insurgencies, the Federal Government has been unable to overcome the challenge and provide adequate and holistic approach to security for the lives and properties of Nigerians.
‎
“Beyond usual promises and consolations to the masses, the Federal Government should improvise and adopt advanced security measures and counter terrorism strategies that can provide adequate security in the nation. There is an urgent need for political cooperation across the board.

” I call on Mr President to call a joint meeting of leaders from all political divides , religious and opinion leaders to deliberate on the nation’s security plight.

“Enough of rhetoric and workshop or summit on security matter. What we need now is action and commitment. It is my believe that for the sake of the innocent lives our political resolve must be as strong as the military option.

“I sympathise with the families of those affected and pray Almighty Allah comforts them.”

Fish out Boko Haram sponsors-IYC tells FG

News

The foremost Ijaw youth organisation, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), has called on the Federal Government to fish out sponsors of the Boko Haram extremists.

The group spoke against the backdrop of the incessant terror attack by the terrorist group.

IYC said it is high time the Federal Government took drastic and far- reaching steps against sponsors of terrorism in the country.

The group said the bomb blast at Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, is an indication that Boko Haram has infiltrated the nation’s seat of power.

It stressed that the recent attack has shown that Boko Haram has an agenda to extend its activities to other parts of the country once they have succeeded to overrun the North East.

Joining league of people condemning the bomb blast which killed dozens of people and injured many others, IYC said that it received with utmost disbelief the news of the terrorist attack. 

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Eric Omare, the group vehemently condemned the attack and commiserated with the families of the victims and the Federal Government.

While considering the deadly nature of attack and the implication on the nation’s security, IYC called on the Federal Government to take drastic and far-reaching steps against sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.

The problem of terrorism cannot be resolved without tackling the source of their sponsorship, the group said.

The group added that the sponsors of Boko Haram should be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

IYC however said the Federal Government cannot claim ignorance of the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria with all the security apparatus at its disposal.

“Government must act decisively irrespective of whose ox is gored and protect the ordinary people of Nigeria,” the statement said.

“The interest of the generality of Nigerians is over and above the interest of a few power hungry people who are sponsoring terrorism.

“The IYC wishes to reiterate its earlier position that the ultimate objective of the sponsors of Boko Haram and terrorism is to make the country ungovernable and forcefully take over the government of Nigeria.

“Hence, it is an issue that government must treat with utmost seriousness. 

We commend the effort of security agencies in tackling the challenge of terrorism and once again state our call for the extension of the existing state of emergency in the North East of Nigeria.

“The Nyanya attack has shown that Boko Haram has an agenda to extend its activities to other parts of the country once they are successful in overrunning the North East.”

Bomb Scare at the National Assembly

News

Peace at the National Assembly was temporarily interrupted Tuesday as barely 24 hours after the Nyanya bomb blast that killed 75 persons in Abuja, rumours of a possible blast within the precinct of the Assembly sent staff scampering for safety. 

It was said that a bomb was planted at the Extension Wing of the Assembly.

This compelled most of the staff and other workers in the Assembly complex to abandon their offices and close early from work.

Some of the workers who spoke to reporters claimed that there was an order that they should vacate the complex for security reasons.

Following the news of the bomb blast, the commercial banks operating within the complex closed shop at about 1.30pm claiming that there was an order that they should vacate the complex.

Getting clarifications from the civil servants proved abortive as most of them declared that they were on their way home.

The story became rife at about 12noon that there was a bomb planted in the complex and an order from an unidentified source said that all commercial food vendors should vacate the complex immediately.

However, a senior security aide to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said “there was no instruction to that effect that they should vacate the complex,” adding “It is all rumour and you know our staff here how they behave, they just want to go home, it is unfortunate.”

Stop playing politics with terrorism-Tambuwal

News

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, HON AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL  AND SEN BUKOLA SARAKI, DONATING BLOOD TO VICTIMS OF THE NYANYA BLAST AT THE NATIONAL BLOOD TRANSFUSION CENTRE, ABUJA

…Appeals against playing politics with terror

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Tuesday visited the National Blood Transfusion Centre in Abuja and donated blood to victims of the Monday bomb explosion in Nyanya, Abuja.

Tambuwal, who also visited the National Hospital, Abuja to sympathise with those receiving treatment there, called on the political leaders in the country to stop politicising issues of insecurity and take necessary actions to protect lives and property of Nigeria citizens.

Speaking shortly after being conducted round the wards in the National Hospital, Tambuwal urged all political leaders to come together and support the government in addressing the challenge of insecurity.

“We should stop playing politics with issue of insecurity, from what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party, we should stop playing politics, we should address the issue and it is not about any religion. It is unfortunate, we must come together, we must rise to the challenge and address this challenge,” he said.

It was from the National Hospital that the speaker alongside other members of the House of Representatives headed for the National Blood Transfusion Centre to donate the blood. After donating the blood, he appealed to other Nigerians to endeavour to do same. “I call on well-meaning Nigerians who have the capacity to donate blood to please come out and donate blood ad whatever is required for the survival of the victims,” he said..

On what motivated him to donate blood to the victims, the Speaker said “I was moved by humanity in him.”

PDP accuses APC of terrorist connections

News

As the fury over Monday’s bomb blast in the Nyanya area of Abuja continues to rage, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated calls on Nigerians to stand up and resist unpatriotic elements whose actions and utterances have continued to fuel insurgency in the country.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement on Tuesday said inflammatory utterances by certain key politicians against the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan, sparked off hatred against the administration by their followers, while attracting impudent insurgents, who started demanding the ouster of the President with threats to cripple the system through acts of terrorism
.
“When the PDP, said that the All Progressives Party, (APC) is responsible for the spate of terror in Nigeria, many had an emotional response, but it is now time to dispassionately focus on the facts in order to stop the carnage on innocent Nigerians.

“Whilst we concede that insurgency existed in the nation before the advent of the current administration, we wish to point out that inflammatory utterances from leaders, many of whom by design or otherwise are now chieftains of the APC have succeeded in emboldening them to launch large scale attacks , maiming and killing our people, believing their actions enjoy the approval of such leaders,”the statement said.

The party observed that such utterances would likely have prompted donations in support of insurgency from followers of such leaders, who thought they were sponsoring a worthy cause.

It noted that these key figures never condemned acts of terrorism and the killings until well-meaning Nigerians started pointing accusing fingers at them.

“They rather blamed government for not reaching out to pacify the terrorists instead of helping to find solutions. They relished in comments which inspired violence and embolden insurgents against the system,” the statement said.

PDP insisted that it was not a coincidence that after General Muhammadu Buhari allegedly beckoned on his supporters to go on lynching spree should he lose the 2011 presidential election, an unprecedented violence broke out, claiming the lives of hundreds of innocent Nigeria.

“Not satisfied with the enormity of the mayhem and bloodletting of 2011, Buhari on the 14th of May 2012 said, “If what happened in 2011 (alleged rigging) should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.’

“Nigerians have not forgotten that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a spirited bid to stop President Jonathan from contesting the 2011 election declared on the 14th of December 2010 that “those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable”

Atiku’s statement was collaborated by one his close associates, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, who in October 2010, while rejecting the emergence of a President from the South, also said, ‘the North is determined, if it happens, to make the country ungovernable for President Jonathan or any other Southerner who finds his way to the seat of power……Even if he uses incumbency power to get his nomination on the platform of the PDP, he would be frustrated out.’

On the 23rd of January 2014, APC Deputy National Secretary, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, said “The next election is likely to be violent and many people are likely going to die. And the only alternative left to get power is to take it by force; this is the reality on ground.”

Are we not now witnessing a foretaste of the bloodbath promised by Buhari and El-Rufai? Is this not the “violent change” promised by Atiku? How many people have to die before Nigerians call a spade a spade and not a farming implement?

We were not surprised when Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi now a leader in the APC, in inciting his followers recently said, ‘I came to Bori to prove to you that you don’t need to run away from violence. If a man is chasing you with AK-47, you should carry machine gun and the man will call for peace.’

We also recall recent statement by the Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, wherein he posited that the insurgents were better armed and better motivated than our security forces. This was deliberately directed at weakening and undermining the security forces while emboldening insurgents. No wonder that after Shettima’s statement, insurgents were encouraged to launch more deadly attacks on our security forces and staged a comeback to the Federal Capital Territory.

“This is in addition to statements by Governor Nyako of Adamawa State who continually, ridicules the office and person of the President to portray the administration as weak in fighting terrorism,” the statement said.

The party insisted that the reason the APC leaders were promoting insurgency was not only to distract the President and rubbish his score card but also to unleash unprecedented mayhem, divide the people and forcefully take over power when it loses the 2015 general election.

It said that its statement Monday which again linked the Nyanya bombing to the utterances of the opposition was a clear stand and a warning that the PDP would henceforth go beyond shedding tears at each carnage, to exposing the enemies of the nation, so as to limit all reckless statements which have been fuelling insurgency.

“It is easier to stop at shedding tears after each carnage. This, the PDP has severally done. The difficult part however, lies in attempting to limit reckless statements which fuel violence. We believe this will go a long way to stopping those who instigate violence through utterances and shed crocodile tears thereafter,” it said.

The party vowed to continue to protect the welfare and interest of Nigerians adding that the citizens and the Federal Government will not succumb to the designs of unpatriotic elements.

Indeed, the peace, unity and stability of this country remain non-negotiable. They can bomb and attack, but one thing is sure; they cannot kill the Nigerian spirit in our people and our collective resolve to live together as one nation under God.

“The leadership of the PDP and the government we formed shall not be cowed, intimidated, harassed or tele-guided by acts of terrorism. The PDP is willing, able and ready to sustain the unity and stability of this country. We therefore call on all Nigerians to stand up and collectively defend our common destiny by openly condemning acts of terrorism and exposing those behind them”, the statement said.

Punch