APC points fingers over 20 containers of arms headed for Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused opposition political parties as being behind the Nigeria bound ship carrying 20 containers of weapons and explosives said to be worth about $3.5 million which was intercepted in South Africa.

The ruling party claimed that the “weapons of mass destruction” were being brought into Nigeria by “desperate politicians and their political parties”, adding that it was part of the evil moves of the opposition on using anything illegal, undemocratic and sinister, to violently manipulate the coming 2019 general elections.

South African police had last Thursday claimed that they had boarded a Russian-registered cargo ship suspiciously ferrying illegal weapons and explosives en route Lagos, Nigeria.

The vessel, which name is given as Lada, was said to have left Madagascar before stopping at Ngqura port outside the eastern city of Port Elizabeth, where it was intercepted following a security check on Sunday.

But reacting to the development, the APC which accused the opposition of being behind the importation of the weapons in a statement on Sunday by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, called on the electorate to resist “evil” people.

“Our call comes against the backdrop of the recent seizure of a Nigerian-bound ship detained in South Africa for carrying arms and explosives. Nigerians will also recall recent arms seizures by the Nigeria Customs Service.

“This is a red-flag security agencies must note and be alert to as political activities heighten in the lead up to coming elections.

READ ALSO: APC accuses opposition of using fake registration website to grab its members

“We invite the opposition to wake up to new realities where votes count and the people’s will prevail in all elections. We also call on all well-meaning Nigerians to support ongoing progressive efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration to ensure that our elections are transparent, free, fair and credible.

“Finally, we call on the National Assembly to urgently do the needful by reconvening to consider and pass the 2019 election budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We condemn any attempt to weaken INEC ahead of the 2019 election,” part of the APC statement read.

 

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