Nigerians, International Community Not Safe Under APC – PDP Declares

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that Nigerians and members of the international are no longer safe in the hands of All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

This is just as the PDP said arrests of its members and leaders will not deter its resolve to send the APC government packing come February 16, 2019, adding that in spite of all the challenges, the days of the APC both in Kaduna State and Nigeria are now numbered.

These were contained in a statement by the PDP Kaduna state chairman, Mr Felix Hassan Hyat while reacting to the series of arrests of members of the party in the state.

Hyat further said; “A clear indication that not only Nigerians are unsafe in the hands of APC Government, but even the members of the International Community that may air a contrary opinion to its policies.

“Democracy is seriously under threat in Nigeria, starting with Kaduna State. We as a Party will continue to fight the cause of justice to ensure that Democracy finds its roots firmly in Nigeria and Kaduna State in particular.

“Now that the security agencies have come out openly to fight the opposition parties in the State on behalf of the ailing ruling APC, we have no alternative than to view them as an integral part of the APC.

“The promised neutrality of the security agencies and INEC as enumerated by the CP himself on the 5th February, 2019, during the signing of the Kaduna Peace Accord has now been breached. Our confidence is very shaken. As a Party, we will review our commitment to the Peace Accord and let our good people of Kaduna State, the National and the International Community know our stand,” Hyat stressed.

The party explained that in the first week of December, 2018, they started hearing rumours that the Governor Nasir el-Rufai in collaboration with State Security agencies would arrest strong PDP members, days before the elections.

According to him; “We took it as mere rumours. The reality is now on ground and the action has started. On 2nd February, 2019, Alhaji Imam Lawal was escorted by security agents along Coronation Road, Kaduna in the evening. His car was thoroughly ransacked but nothing incriminating was found.

“On Thursday, 7th February, 2019 Alhaji Audi Yaro, Makaman Rigachikun, a former State Chairman and National Ex-Officio was invited to the Kaduna State Police Command Headquarters. His crime was recalling the Campaign speech of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2011 General Elections, where Buhari as Presidential Candidate then has said in Hausa, “ku kasa, ku tsare, ku raka, ku jira, in ba a baku ba ku buge”.

“On Saturday, 9th February, 2019, Hon. Ben Bako, a strong PDP member, a former Commissioner of Information in the State and now Director of Media in the present PDP Campaign Organization, was picked by operatives from DSS and taken to Abuja that same night and is yet to be released.

“On Monday, 11th February, 2019, Alhaji Imam Lawal was again invited to the State DSS office where he was interrogated for sometimes before he was later released.

“On the same Monday, 11th February, 2019, Alhaji Audi Yaro, Makaman Rigachikun, was again invited by the State DSS operatives and taken to Abuja and is yet to be released.”

Hyat appealed to all PDP supporters and the public to remain calm, adding that arresting our leaders cannot stop the PDP from being voted into office on February 16, and March 2, 2019 to replace an unwanted monster in the corridors of power lording it over innocent citizens. Humiliation/intimidation will only strengthen Nigerians resolve to keep on the struggle.

He also said; “We call on all peace loving Nigerians and concerned International Community to recall the recent threats of the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to send back monitoring observers out of the country in “body bags”.

“Instead of the APC ruling Party to caution him and apologize to the Nigerian Public and International Community, it rather shamelessly corroborated his statement. A clear indication that not only Nigerians are unsafe in the hands of APC Government ,but even the members of the International Community that may air a contrary opinion to its policies.

“We are aware of the Government intention to use the military in the elections that are purely a civil exercise. So also the planned use of Vigilante (Kato da Gora) outfit by the Kaduna State Government during the elections.

“These are purely meant to harass and intimidate voters and create room for the APC, We shall remain very alert, resolute, firm but peaceful. The world is watching,” he said.

He called on the people to come out enmass and vote PDP in an orderly and not allow APC have a free day to rig the elections.