The People’s Democratic Party, PDP in has said that the persistent attack on the president in a poiter that the All Progressive Party, APC and its presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari does not value the peace pact that was signed in Abuja on Thursday January 15, 2015
Addressing the newsmen in a statement signed by Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, the ruling party condemns the attack on President Jonathan and stated that it was “a clear indication that the APC is not ready to dial back on its rabid desire to attain power through violence despite signing a peace pact”.
He said assured that the party would no longer tolerate such criminal acts of violence on any of its members or leaders.
“This brazen attack on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our presidential candidate clearly shows that the APC was never committed to the spirit and letters of the Abuja peace accord which they signed in the presence of prominent Nigerians and international personalities.
“It is unfortunate that while the PDP and other parties are busy ensuring that their members and supporters remain committed to a peaceful electioneering, the APC has been hatching plots to unleash violence on our candidates and members.
“We invite Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and all lovers of democracy to rise in condemnation of this dangerous phenomenon. These early developments clearly demonstrate that the comments and declarations by the leaders of the APC that Nigeria would be thrown into chaos and bloodshed should it lose the February general elections were real.
“We commend the maturity and the ever peaceful disposition of President Jonathan and the leaders of the PDP even in the face of this unwarranted attack.” He stated
The All Progressive Congress, APC in reaction to the PDP statement has however condemned attack and claimed that stoning of the campaign convoy of President Jonathan in Katsina State is was not plotted by the party.
In a statement signed on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 APC’s National Publicity Secretary in Lagos, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he stated that the violent attack was unacceptable to the party.
It stated: “Even though the attack on the President’s convoy took place a day after the provocative death-wish newspaper advertorial that was put out in the name of the President, nothing justifies the stoning of the President’s convoy anywhere in the country.
“The party restated its commitment to a continuous enlightenment of its members and supporters to eschew violence before, during and after next month’s general elections, and urged other parties to follow suit.”
‘’We consider election as a celebration of democracy, not a do-or-die affair. Whether or not one agrees with the campaign message of any party, engaging in violence negates the very essence of democracy and should be condemned by all,” the party stated.
