The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday came under severe attacks for trivialising kidnapping at the interactive session of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) with the media and civil society organisations.
Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido was alleged to have jokingly suggested the abduction of two leading members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a way of financially crippling the opposition.
But the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) said the Lamido joke was rather expensive at a time kidnapping ranked as one of the social ills threatening the nation.
APCPCO’s Director of Media and Publicity of the, Mallam Garba Shehu, told newsmen that it was unfortunate that a governor of Lamido’s standing would make such careless statement in front of television cameras at a time when the nation was fighting insecurity.
Shehu said: “As we were preparing for this press conference, some of the PDP governors are meeting in Lagos and some of the language that are coming from that place are not particularly pleasant. I want to consider what the governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido said.
”I feel it is some kind of morbid joke and I hope that it didn’t come from his heart. Otherwise, the time when kidnapping is a very serious plaque nationwide. I think that it is terribly terrible and in bad taste that a governor will stand in the front of the television cameras and announced that to break the APC, all they needed to do is to kidnap two APC leaders and the party would be broke.
“From what we are seeing and the language coming out, it’s like people are not conscious of the fact that Nigerians have sensibility. Otherwise, people should not just ruffle the emotions of the people of this country.
”For us in the APC presidential campaign organisation, kidnapping is a serious threat to this country and it is not a matter that people should be joking about as it is with Boko Haram.
Security is priority
Of course, it is not surprising that for our presidential candidate, Gen Mohammadu Buhari, the key issues are about security and the lives and property of the people of this country. As you can see from his various speeches, this is a matter he intends to give his all.
”The devastating effect of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, and general insecurity pervading the land is an issue that has continued to bewilder our people. But we all know that were it not for the lax attitude of our government, the insurgency would not have continued to fester as we have it today.”
Shehu also quote Gen. Buhari as saying: “Let me assure you that if I am elected President, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service, we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunitions to work with, we will improve intelligence gathering.”
According to him, Gen. Buhari remained genuinely committed to reduce wastages in the system and restored the confidence of the people.
His words: “You are aware that recently our presidential flag bearer, Gen Muhammadu Buhari was at the Chatham House, London, United Kingdom (UK) and gave a speech on his vision for Nigeria if elected resident in the forthcoming election.
“Even as a nation with statistics, such as in the case of 33.1 per cent of Nigerians living in extreme poverty, and almost 60 per cent of youth unemployed, Gen Buhari bemoaned the current state of things, more so as the poor will be ‘disproportionately impacted’.
”Following from the above, Gen Buhari identified two ills that have characterised the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration as ‘waste and corruption’.
“In that elucidating speech, he successfully proffered workable solutions to pull the country from the brink. You are all aware that the speech is now in the public domain.
”On contemporary national issues, we wish to draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians to the deceit, squandermania and looting associated with this administration
”It is on record that work started on the East – West Road in 2006, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But due to the activities of Niger Delta militants then, work was stopped midway and the initial contractor, Julius Berger left the site.
”In 2009, work was restarted on the road, this time to be handled by three construction firms to hasten its completion by 2011 as anticipated. It is pertinent to note that appropriations were made for the construction in 2009 and 2010. But after Yar’Adua’s death, work stopped on the road and the money set aside was diverted.
”I have gone to this length to illustrate to you that the construction of this road has lingered due to the lack-lustre approach of the Jonathan administration. Their initial promise to complete the road by 2013 never materialised and till today the East-West road is yet to be completed.
“Contrary to the strident efforts of the Jonathan team to assure the people of the Southeast that the Second Niger Bridge has been awarded and now under construction, the truth is that the PDP administration is only deceiving the people.
”If you may remember, President Jonathan anchored his 2011 campaign in the Southeast on the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, but four years down the line, we are now realising that the bridge is still at the drawing board table and may not be realised after all under Jonathan.
PPP to the rescue
”We recall that the money set aside for the project was channelled into the presidential election of President Jonathan. The main problem with the Second Niger Bridge and which the Jonathan administration has failed to respond to is why public private partnership should be adopted in constructing the bridge at triple the real cost, whereas government is in a position to bear the full cost, more so as the project falls under the social contract between the government and the people.
”If this arrangement is not reversed, and the Federal Government takes full responsibility for the funding, the implication is that the Southeast people will perennially remain at the mercy of the investors for a period not limited to 25 years in the first instance.”
He further said that contrary to claims that Gen Muhammadu Buhari does not have women in the scheme of things, the APC presidential candidate believes women should be given the opportunity to rise and play prominent role in moving the nation forward.
Shehu quoted Buhari as saying: “I will recognise and protect women empowerment and gender equality with special emphasis on economic activities in the rural areas. Women all over the world are playing an ever increasing role in moving their nations forward both in and outside government.
“In keeping with the times, my government will ensure that Nigerian women are given the opportunity to rise and play an even more prominent role in moving our great nation forward.”
He said “from the above quotes, one can easily read the mind of Gen Muhammadu Buhari, at least to show that he is not a male chauvinist and that he has a definite and robust programme for women if elected President”
Speaking on corruption, the APC campaign spokesman said: “Corruption, as many Nigerians will agree is the major hindrance to our national development, and Gen Buhari with a sterling record of fighting corruption will spare no effort in ensuring that Nigerians have value for their commonwealth.
”To underscore the importance which His Excellency, Gen Buhari attaches to the cankerworm known as corruption, permit me to paraphrase a portion of his speech at the recent visit to Chatham House London.
“On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration.
”First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process. Revenue producing entities such as NNPC and Customs and Excise will have one set of books only. Their revenues will be publicly disclosed and regularly audited. The institutions of state dedicated to fighting corruption will be given independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference.
”Openness in employment will be the norm under a Buhari presidency, unlike the current arrangement where you need a godfather/godmother, and sometimes you need to gratify government officials to get employment. Only recently over 300 members of staff were recruited by the National Universities Commission without due process and transparency.
”Mrs. Buhari, as First Lady will not be in the habit of having agents in MDAs for the purpose of collecting kickbacks and gratifications for her.”
Shehu argued that President Jonathan has consistently failed in his promises to the people of the Southsouth and Southeast where many believed that he has a strong support base.
He said:”Recall that some German partners were to be engaged to build standard airports across the country including Enugu but by along the line. Jonathan discarded the plan. Today, what is being trumpeted at as Enugu International Airport is a shoddy job done through direct labour and at inflated cost.
Serial failure
”To further demonstrate that President Jonathan has serially failed the Southeast, we want to put it on record that late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had commenced and indeed reached an advanced stage in the dredging of River Niger, and construction of Onitsha seaport.
”Regrettably, this was again truncated by Jonathan as till today, the seaport which is expected to promote economic development in the region and beyond is yet to take off and the dredging stopped.
”In conclusion, we wish to restate Gen Buhari’s total commitment to the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians, as well as to the growth and nurturing of democracy in our land.
“He is also committed to the peace pact which he co-signed with President Jonathan, and shall indeed use any available forum to impress on his followers on the need for the path of peace at all times.
”And this is in spite of serial violations of the latter by the other side. Above all, Gen Buhari and his administration would practice and promote politics of nationalism, patriotism, character, equity, accountability, religious/ethnic tolerance, morality, justice and fairness and service to humanity.
“It is therefore important that the PDP and its campaigners refrain from throwing invectives at our candidate.”
