PRESS STATEMENT – 21TH JANUARY, 2015. ABUJA Group accuses APC of instigating violence The Nigeria Posterity Project has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Katsina State of instigating and encouraging violence, following the unruly behaviour and action of APC supporters for insulting and embarrassment of President Goodluck Jonathan during his campaign tour of the state. The group said it views the action of the APC youths of sweeping off the foot prints of the president after he left the state under the pretext that they were sweeping away the bad luck that President Goodluck Jonathan brought to the state. We believe that this unpalatable attitude exhibited by the APC supporters was capable of igniting passions and violence among supporters of the PDP and the opposition in Katsina State. This action by the APC youth is a clear indication that the party is not interested in the peace pact entered into by all presidential candidates of political parties. We however commend the peaceful conduct of PDP youth in the state for their refusal to act in retaliation and thereby averting a breakdown of law and order in the state. We therefore call on the leadership of the APC to call their supporters to order and respect the peace pact signed by all political parties ahead of the February general elections. Similarly, we appeal to Northern leaders to tone down their utterances and allow free campaigns by all candidates in all parts of the country as exemplified by the warm reception Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the APC received in the South - South and South East respectively. According to the group, the action of sweeping away the foot prints of the president depicts the APC youth as lacking in morals and of showing disrespect and disdain for the office and person of the President as the number one citizen of Nigeria. It’s unfortunate that rather than listening to the President’s campaign speech the youths decided to embark on this inglorious act that has brought shame and ridicule to the people of Katsina State. “We are taken aback that the APC leaders in the state and at the national level has kept mute over the action of the youth for casting aspersion on Mr. President. The action of the youth couldn’t have been spontaneous but a premeditated action orchestrated by some disgruntled elements within the APC leadership in the state to embarrass Jonathan. “We are convinced that some elements within the party leadership in the state would have organized and encourage the youths to carry out this shameful act.” “We condemn the attitude of APC supporters in parts of the North and Northern political actors for keeping mute when President Goodluck Jonathan supporters cannot freely exercise their freedom of expression. The burning of President Jonathan’s campaign vehicles in parts of the North and the pulling down of his posters in parts of the North can only be likened to Nazi Germany where for the fear of Hitler, everybody must fly the Nazi flag even against their conscience. This cannot be tolerated in modern day Nigeria and should not be encouraged.” Signed: Louis Ebodaghe National Coordinator
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:00:33 +0000