attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to politicize the
circulation of anti-election leaflets in Gombe state.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement on Tuesday
alerted that the rush with which the APC started raining accusations was
“suspect and betrays a subterfuge; a spirited attempt to cover-up,
divert attention and distract the security forces from getting to those
behind the threats.”
“Ordinarily, many Nigerians saw the statement by the APC as merely
political, but looking beyond the veneer of politics undoubtedly is a
bigger picture of an opposition party deeply involved but craftily
deploying a smokescreen to divert attention through a hurried attempt to
politicize a very serious security issue.
“Whereas it is incontrovertible that Gombe remains a stronghold of the
PDP with the soaring popularity of President Goodluck Jonathan and
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, we urge Nigerians to make their deduction as
to which party stands to gain from any anti-election threat in the
state. Is it the PDP for whom Gombe is a stronghold or the APC, which
has been seeking to turn the state into a theater of violence owing to
its dwindling popularity?
“Furthermore, the manner with which the APC in its statement described
the convoy of the insurgents and their said movements from Maiduguri to
Gombe raises an issue. Is it that the APC has their members among the
insurgents or is it part of its fabrication and lies to score cheap
political point?
“Nigerians are aware of series of attempts by the APC to cause mayhem in
Gombe as a means to dislodge the PDP in the state. The December 18th
2014 ambush and attack on the convoy of Governor Dankwambo by APC thugs
is still fresh in the mind.
“We therefore demand a thorough investigation into the matter as it
might assist in unraveling other knotty issues regarding the security
challenges in the country.
“This is especially as the APC has shown the capacity to find a voice
and thrive whenever Nigerians come under attack or threat, as well as
the proclivity for actions and utterances that tend to cause confusion,
distract security agencies and embolden insurgents and their
supporters”, the PDP said.
The party therefore urged Nigerians to be wary of the APC, stating that
its fabrications may not only be for propaganda but also for more
sinister agenda.
Noting that it will not be distracted but continue to focus on its
campaign, the PDP restated its readiness for the March 28 and April 11,
2015 general elections adding that with its record of performance and
support of Nigerians across board, it will receive a sweeping victory
not only in Gombe but also in all the states of the federation.