The All Progressives Congress (APC) in
Kwara State has accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of
institutionalisation of its unwavering penchant for bloodshed and violence with
the formation of PDP War Council (PWC) ahead of the forthcoming general
elections while calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to
brace up for the task of protecting Kwarans and their properties.
In a statement issued in Ilorin on
Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Sulyman Buhari, the party expressed
concerns over the formation of PDP War Council (PWC) while stating that
election is not a war.
"It has become necessary and
imperative to alert the people of Kwara State and all security agencies that
the opposition PDP has institutionalised its unwavering penchant for bloodshed
and violence with the formation of PDP War Council (PWC) ahead of the
forthcoming general elections.
"The PDP should not be taken for
granted due to its rich antecedents in the field of thuggery and violence. It
was the PDP that sponsored multiple attacks on our campaign train at Isapa and
Oyun in February, 2015. It was the PDP that recently coordinated the massive
destruction and defacing of APC billboards at Adeta area, Garin-Alimi
roundabout, Offa garage area and other areas of Ilorin metropolis. It was the
PDP that was indicted for the attack on Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed's convoy at
Kaiama. It was PDP thugs that brutally attacked journalists on Saturday, 29th
of November, 2014 for no offence other than the decision of the journalists to
give routine coverage to its party congress. It is PDP that has been alleged of
hiring hired assassins for usage before, during and after elections. In fact,
the violent ideology of PDP consumed its members at the congresses the PDP held
in Kwara State. From all indications, the PDP is an unrepentant promoter of
violence. When such a party constitutes War Council to pursue elections, it
amounts to institutionalisation of violence and it calls for serious concerns.
"Our party, the APC, do not
take politics as a war, our disposition and actions have always been on
peaceful, participatory and impactful democracy. However, the PDP has shown
beyond doubt that it has nothing but violence to offer the people. Violence can
never be an option for our people and the APC has consistently campaigned
against violence in Kwara State both in words and deeds.
"The APC gathered that the
decision by Kwara PDP leaders to constitute PDP War Council (PWC) was informed
by their conviction that the forthcoming general election is a war and the war
must be fought with all mercenaries and weapons available to the PDP. The
21-man PDP War Council which has a retired Colonel as member, also has the PDP
Chairman, Mr Iyiola Oyedepo as its chairman.
"While we do not know the tactics
and modus operandi with which the PDP intends to pursue its war agenda, we do
know that the fundamental elements of war are fighters, weaponry amongst
others. It is quite known in Kwara State that the PDP has an army of rampaging
armed thugs that could be used to pursue its war agenda. On weaponry, perhaps,
the PDP has already acquired sophisticated weapons or at the verge of
acquisition. Perhaps, the recent largesse doled out to the PDP by the drowning
Presidency has been channelled for purchase of weapons in order to torment and
maim the people of Kwara State.
"We emphasise that PDP War Council
can not be likened to the regular security committees of political parties
because the PDP has its security committee headed by Hon Ladi Edun. It behoves
on Kwara PDP to explain to Kwarans and the world why it is pursuing a war
agenda when the APC, other political parties, INEC and stakeholders are
campaigning for peaceful and credible elections.
"The peace accord pact the PDP
governorship candidate in Kwara State signed alongside our Governorship
Candidate, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed means nothing to PDP and its candidate. Or
how do anyone explain the inconsistency of signing a non-violence pact and the
formation of PDP War Council in Kwara State.
"If the PDP refuses to back down
on its war agenda, with the collective will and stengths of Kwarans, the fire
the PDP ignited will certainly burn and consume the PDP in Kwara State.
"We call on the Inspector General
of Police, Suleiman Abba, Kwara State Police Command and other security
agencies to investigate and prosecute Kwara PDP based on the highlighted
reasons and brace up for the task of protecting the the good people of Kwara
State and their properties before, during and after the forthcoming
elections.", the statement read.
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Politics