by Kolapo Olapoju
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a statement, disclosing why it evaded the public debates organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), which aired on national television and radio stations on Thursday, January 29.
The statement, which was issued to journalists in Abuja on Thursday evening, was signed by Malam Garba Shehu, the Director Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign Organisation.
According to the opposition party, its decision became necessary “because of the unhidden bias and campaign of calumny by some key organisers of the programme against the corporate political interest of the party and its candidates”.
The opposition said the NEDG composed mainly of government agencies and allies of the incumbent PDP -led administration, adding that it was fraught with fundamental errors from the outset.
“A salutary inspection of the composition of the NEGD brings into focus the BON, NTA, FRCN and AIT, (owned by a PDP chieftain).”
“Going by the avalanche of inflammatory statements, misinformation and blatant lies being propagated by some of these media against our party and candidates contrary to the Koffi Annan-brokered Abuja Peace Accord, and the failure of these aggressors to desist and apologise, have left the APC Campaign with no option than to steer clear of any premeditated smear campaign that could be inimical to our prospective electoral success.”
“The boycott by the APC should not be seen as disrespect to Nigerian voters, or an alibi for the party to dodge public scrutiny. It must be viewed as an honourable right not to consent to any activity that could distract, demean, denigrate or derail the fast-moving train of the party.”
“The APC is a party of progressive intellectuals, genuine technocrats, successful businessmen and women, and most of all eminent and courteous people of honour who would never condescend to the level of sadistic gutter propaganda, all in the name of political exigency and crass opportunism.”
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