by Ranti Joseph

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to politicize the circulation of anti-election leaflets in Gombe State as revealing.

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 theatre 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? We therefore demand a thorough investigation into the matter as it might assist in unravelling 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.

PDP 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.

Janeth J