Following the distribution of anti-election leaflet in Gombe State, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked for an investigation into claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the PDP was responsible for the circulation, stating that the APC statement on the issue was too details not to have come from an insider.
The PDP made the call via a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.
Metuh, while asking for an inquiry into the description given by the APC, said that the alacrity with which the opposition began throwing up 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.”
He continued: “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 theater 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?
“Nigerians are aware of series of attempts by the APC to cause mayhem in Gombe as a means to dislodge the PDP in the state. The December 18th 2014 ambush and attack on the convoy of Governor Dankwambo by APC thugs is still fresh in the mind.
“We therefore demand a thorough investigation into the matter as it might assist in unraveling 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.”
