PDP, Civil Society Groups Deny Terrorism Allegation, Accuse FG of Planning to Frame-up Leaders
Opposition parties, civil society organizations, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Monday denied allegations of planning to cause mayhem in the country.
The allegation was made by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who said the federal government has intelligence report that the opposition parties have been gathering terrorists and armed bandits to cause crisis and disrupt the forthcoming general election in the country.
In reaction, the PDP and civil society groups said the allegation was mainly to have reasons to clampdown their leaders.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere; the Southern/Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMLF); and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP),described the allegation as designed to frame up the opposition and then arrest them for security breaches.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) described the allegation that the opposition parties were mobilizing Boko Haram and bandits to cause crisis as irresponsible, ludicrous and a clear show of sign of planning for self succession.
Mohammed had told newsmen in Abuja,”Having realised that their fortunes have dwindled badly ahead of the polls, the desperate opposition is orchestrating widespread violence with a view to truncating the elections, thus triggering a constitutional crisis that could snowball into the establishment of an interim government”.
”Before you accuse the government of crying wolf, let me tell you, gentlemen, that we have credible intelligence that armed bandits and Boko Haram insurgents have been mobilized to engage in massive attacks and other acts of violence in several states across the country, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara.’’
”There is also an international dimension to the evil plan. Some armed mercenaries from Niger Republic have been contracted to attack top government functionaries, including state governors, across the North-west between now and the elections.’’
Mohammed however assured that the election will be credible, free and fair.
But addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan described the allegation from Mohammed as one of manifest complicity at very high level.
He said. “In the light of this and the already displayed desperation by the APC ahead of the general elections, the PDP calls on Nigerians to hold President Buhari directly responsible for any escalation of violence in our nation.”
“On behalf of Nigerians, we thank Alhaji Lai Mohammed for mustering the courage to bring the nefarious plans of the APC to the public. The PDP and Nigerians are prepared for a peaceful election in defence of our democracy.
“It is imperative to state that the PDP finds the claims of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, irresponsible and ludicrous. It is just a measure for building the ground for framing up, and arrest of leading members of the opposition as he has just confirmed our concerns.”
The national spokesperson of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin also reated, “That is a weighty allegation, and these people should now know that they are in government, they are no longer in opposition. If they have such weighty allegation, they should bring out the evidence and arrest whoever is doing so.
‘’But, if you can’t bring out the evidence, that is irresponsible. You are just making political allegations as if you are still in opposition, when you have all the apparatus of the state.
“For you to come on air and make such allegations without arresting those who are involved is totally irresponsible,’’ Odumakin.
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