4th December, 2013
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have declared that the state of emergency imposed on three states in the north east has failed to stem the spate of attacks by Boko Haram and called on the government to engage in constructive engagement with all stakeholders.
In a statement signed by Chief Bisi Akande, interim National Chairman of APC, at the meeting of leaders of the party in Abuja, the APC advised the Jonathan administration to dust up the Lemu report for an interim escape route to resolve the security problems in the country.
They submitted that never since the Nigerian civil war has a major military establishment been so grounded as the onslaught on the military base in Maiduguri on 2 December.
At the meeting were Chief Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, APC national leader, former CPC leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, former ANPP National Chairman, Alhaji Modu-Sheriff Musa, governors of the party. Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wammako made their debut appearance at the meeting which was held at the Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Tuesday night.
The APC leaders further called on President Goodluck Jonathan to compensate all the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“The issue of compensation should not be one of negotiation,” they stated in their communique issued at the end of the meeting.
On the face-off between the government and ASUU, the party leaders blamed the Jonathan administration for the prolonged strike by university lecturers in the country.
The APC called on the administration to show leadership by working with university lecturers to find a lasting solution to the challenges confronting university education and administration.
“This is not the time for threats but partnerships and compromise, because the youth are our best resource for tomorrow,” the APC leaders stated.
On the Delta senatorial election and Anambra governorship election, the APC leaders said the debacle signpost a broken electoral system, especially when the umpire openly admitted failure.
“Less than six months to elections in Ekiti and Osun with 2015 looming ahead we are burdened with an INEC that has been derobed in the public eye, unprepared, compromised and does not inspire faith in the electorate. The scale of electoral fraud witnessed in Delta and Anambra portends grave danger for our democracy. INEC needs an urgent and necessary overhaul. The APC calls for full implementation of the Justice Uwais report on electoral reforms. Rather than a selective approach, we demand a wholesale implementation of the recommendations submitted. The independence of INEC, the institution of full biometrics that can guarantee the protection of one man, one vote and the integrity of the election process are cornerstone of a credible electoral system,” the party stated further in the communique.
The leaders also deplored the use of the police for its biddings by the Presidency, adding that this is against the principles of federalism.
“Example of Rivers and Abuja Governors’ meeting at Kano lodge where even subordinate police officers act with impunity has turned Nigeria into a neo fascist state. This contradicts the very basis of democracy. It violates the fundamental rights of citizens and elected officers who do not belong to the ruling party and perceived as enemies of the presidency. This tendency of turning the Police force into the Rottweiler of the presidency and the ruling party must be condemned and challenged by all lovers of democracy and human rights. This abuse of the police is bad omen for 2015,” the APC leaders declared.