PDP TO BUHARI: Show respect for the dead

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed shock over a statement credited to the Presidency saying that killings in Nigeria preceded President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

The PDP advised President Buhari to show respect for the dead and stop justifying its failure to stem the tide of killings and bloodletting in the country, particularly in Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Kogi, Taraba and other troubled states.

The Presidency had in response to PDP’s declaration of seven days mourning for Nigerians slaughtered in Plateau State last Saturday, called on the opposition party to stop playing “irresponsible politics”, listing incidences of killings in the past during PDP’S administration.

But replying in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said that it was regrettable that the Presidency still wants to deny the dead victims respect.

“It is indeed reprehensible that the Presidency in its usual arrogance and insensitivity to the mood of the nation chose to condemn the PDP for declaring a seven-day mourning and flying our flags at half-mast in honour of the dead and solidarity with the bereaved.

“It is disturbing that even in death, the Buhari Presidency still wants to deny these victims of callous murder the honour of being mourned.

“We are particularly appalled that instead of joining Nigerians in mourning the dead and seeking ways to stem the escalation of the bloodletting under its watch, the Buhari Presidency is engaged in morbid reference to past killings as if the lives of Nigerians have no value under President Buhari’s watch.

“The PDP, as a party, will continue to identify with Nigerians at this troubled time irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations and will therefore not allow itself to be dragged into a needless mire with the Buhari Presidency, which has shown by its statement, that it has no iota of regard for the lives of Nigerians.

READ ALSO: PRESIDENCY TO PDP: Stop playing irresponsible politics, herdsmen killings not new

“PDP urges the Buhari Presidency to confront the challenge of fulfilling the basic responsibility of governance by providing security to the lives and property of all Nigerians irrespective of their creed, tribe and political affiliations.

“Finally, the PDP assures Nigerians that we will not be deterred in speaking out against the killings and the failure of the Buhari administration to take concrete steps to stem this ugly tide.”

 

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