•Chief Akande (second right) reading
the APC comminique...yesterday. With him (from left) are: Senator
Abdulahi Adamu, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Sheriff, Asiwaju Tinubu, Gen.
Buhari and Dr. Onu. On the back row (from second left) are: Ajimobi;
Kwankwaso; Masari; Wammako, Ribadu, Amosun, Amaechi, Sylva and others.
AFTER meeting for about five hours
in Abuja, All Progressive Congress (APC)leaders issued yesterday a
damming verdict on the state of the nation.
The party scolded President Goodluck Jonathan for handling security and the Boko Haram insurgency with “political naivety”.
It urged the President to dust up the Lemu Panel’s Report and compensate victims of the insurgency.
Besides, the party advised the President
to show leadership by working with striking university lecturers
instead of threatening them.
It accused the Federal Government of using anti-graft agencies to persecute governors and perceived political enemies.
The party expressed regrets that the
police had been turned into a wing of the Presidency and the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) to deal with opponents.
It said the deployment of the police for intimidation and coercion in some states is against the principle of federalism
The APC, which made its position known
in a communiqué at the end of a strategic session at the Kano Governor’s
Lodge in Asokoro District, Abuja, said Nigeria was becoming a
neo-fascist state.
The session, which began at about 8.30pm on Tuesday, ended at about 12.20am yesterday.
In the communiqué, read by its National
Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the APC leader said while corruption has
remained endemic under the Jonathan’s administration, the government is
compounding the situation with abuse of anti-graft agencies.
The party said: “Since the declaration
of State of Emergency in key Northeastern states affected by the
insurgency, life and property have been under severe attacks.
“A large number of residents have been
displaced and forced to migrate to adjoining states or outside the
country. These victims have been uprooted from their homes, families and
jobs. They have lost hope in the ability of their country to protect
them.
“Clearly the State of Emergency has
failed. To make the matters worse, the elected governors and the other
stakeholders of the areas are ignored and totally excluded by the
Federal Government agencies.
“Never since the Nigerian Civil War has a
major military establishment been so grounded as the onslaught on the
military base in Maiduguri on December 2nd, 2013.
“This gradual deterioration of security
and mounting civilian casualties are symptomatic of the failure of
intelligence, political naivety and disconnect between the Jonathan
administration and current realities of the Nigerian situation.”
The APC demanded compensation for victims of insurgency.
It said: “The issue of compensation
should not be one of negotiation. The government must compensate
victims. The Lemu Report with its template for an interim escape route
provides the basis for constructive engagement.
“We urge the government to dust it up
along relevant reports on Nigerian security to assist it in its strategy
towards effective national security.”
On the university lecturers’ strike, the party said Nigerians should blame the Federal Government.
It urged President Jonathan’s administration to show leadership by working with the varsity lecturers to salvage the system.
Said the APC: “The protracted strike is
not so much the fault of the lecturers but that of Jonathan
administration to confront key issues of university education and
administration today.
“The current impasse has paralysed
tertiary education nationwide, compromised security by creating idle
youth, potentially foreclosing prospects for a bright future.
“Now is the time for Jonathan
administration to show leadership by working with university lecturers
to find a lasting solution to the challenges confronting university
education, in terms of funding, infrastructure, standards, welfare and
administration.
“This is not the time for threats but partnerships and compromise because the youths are our best resources for tomorrow.
“As a political party, as parents and
guardians, our heart goes out to millions of our youths who have been
deprived their right to education for over half of an academic session
through no fault of theirs.”
The APC accused the Federal Government of using anti-graft agencies to persecute governors and perceived political enemies.
It said: “The abuse of public
institutions by the Federal Government and the ruling party in
persecuting perceived political enemies undermines the integrity of
these institutions and subverts the rule of law.
“We have watched the trend in which selected governors and other top political figures are being victimised.
“This does not augur well for a civil
relationship in our body politic. It emphasises revenge over fairness
and breeds malice, rancour and distrust.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, we will
wage a consistent and persistent war against corruption and plug
wastages. Corruption under the current Federal Government is endemic and
Nigeria’s rating has never been this bad.”
The party faulted how the Police had been turned into the “Rottweiler” of the Presidency and the ruling party.
“The Presidency and the ruling party
have deployed the police against the highest principles of federalism,”
the APC said, adding:
“Examples of Rivers and Abuja governors’
meeting at Kano Governor’s Lodge where even subordinate police officers
act with impunity that has turned Nigeria into a neo-fascist state.
“This contradicts the very basis of
democracy, violates the fundamental rights of citizens and elected
officers who do not belong to the ruling party and perceived as enemies
of the Presidency.”
The APC restated its demand for the overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).
It said: “Less than six months to
elections in Ekiti and Osun, with 2015 looming ahead, we are burdened
with an INEC that has been de-robed in the public eye, unprepared,
compromised and does not inspire faith in the electorate.
“The scale of electoral fraud witnessed
in Delta and Anambra portends grave danger for our democracy. INEC needs
an urgent and necessary overhaul.
“The APC calls for full implementation
of Justice Muhammadu Uwais Report on electoral reforms. Rather than a
selective approach, we demand a wholesale implementation of the
recommendations submitted.
“The independence of INEC, the
institution of full biometrics that can guarantee the protection of one
man, one vote and the integrity of the election process are cornerstone
of a credible electoral system.”
Some of the APC leaders at the session
were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; former Lagos State
Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former Borno State Governor Modu Ali
Sheriff; former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and former EFCC
Chairman Nuhu Ribadu. National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed
was there.
Others included Governors Ibikunle
Amosun(Ogun); Rotimi Amaechi(Rivers); Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto); Kayode
Fayemi(Ekiti); Murtala Nyako(Adamawa); Abdulfatai Ahmed(Kwara); Abiola
Ajimobi (Oyo); Babatunde Raji Fashola(Lagos); and Rabiu
Kwankwanso(Kano).
House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal was seen at the lodge, but his mission was unclear at press time.
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