Criminality Has No Tribe In The Eyes Of The Law – APC

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed serious concern over what it described as “recent reckless and provocative” statements ascribed to some leaders and interests in the country.

The ruling Party said there is the need to remind ourselves that many of the recorded genocides all over the world started through unchecked prejudices and systematic profiling of racial, political and cultural groups, adding that God forbid our dear country descends into such savagery.

It also said that inciting actions and rhetorics are counterproductive and dangerous particularly in a multi-ethnic country such as ours.

It specifically said that terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other crimes must be condemned by all, stressing that “Tere is nothing like an Isoko, Gwari or Awori robber because criminality has no tribe in the eyes of the law.”

The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu however noted public concerns over cases of violent crimes recorded in some parts of the country, particularly in the recent and unfortunate killing of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.  

Issa-Onilu said; “Losing a loved one is never easy to come to terms with, particularly in such unfortunate circumstance. We join the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and all peace-loving Nigerians in extending condolences to the family of the late Funke Olakunrin on the sad and painful loss.

“We reject the notion of a Nigeria where any ethnic group is unwelcome in any part of the country. Every Nigerian must be free to live and work in safety anywhere in the country.

“Our leaders have an important duty to be temperate in their language and actions. We must be wary of partisan individuals, many of whom formerly occupied elective positions but failed to tackle many of the criminalities we face today. We must be wary of these leaders, who now play to the gallery to incite, spread hate and intolerance in the country. “Their interventions are not patriotic but in pursuance of their political and selfish interests,” Issa-Onilu stressed.

The APC therefore urged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the National Assembly, religious, traditional, political leaders and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians not to be distracted by what it described as “these unpatriotic antics.”

It said that while we may not agree on some issues in our national life, but we must continue to explore all peaceful and legitimate avenues to tackle our challenges and find amicable common ground to our disputation.

The APC called on relevant security agencies to intensify ongoing effort to rid the country of crime, particularly the violent type.