Don’t Be Distracted By ‘Partisan Leaders’, APC Tells Buhari, NASS

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly not to be distracted by those it described as partisan leaders in the country.

It made the call on Wednesday in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, in reaction to the outrage sparked by the murder of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti.

The party, however, condoled with the nonagenarian over the loss of his daughter who was killed by gunmen last week in Ondo State.

According to the statement, it said losing a loved one is never easy to come to terms with, particularly in such unfortunate circumstance.

“We join the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and all peace-loving Nigerians in extending condolences to the family of the late Funke Olakunrin on the sad and painful loss,” the APC said.

Olakunrin’s murder has been widely condemned by prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo who wrote an open letter to the President, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which called for a state of emergency on security.

In its reaction, the APC said it “is disturbed by recent reckless and provocative statements ascribed to some leaders and interests in the country.”

“Inciting actions and rhetorics are counterproductive and dangerous particularly in a multi-ethnic country such as ours.

“Terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and other crimes must be condemned by all. There is nothing like an Isoko, Gwari or Awori robber because criminality has no tribe in the eyes of the law.

“We must remind ourselves that many of the recorded genocides all over the world started through unchecked prejudices and systematic profiling of racial, political and cultural groups. God forbid our dear country descends into such savagery,” the ruling party said.

According to the statement, the party condemns the notion of a Nigeria where any ethnic group is unwelcome in any part of the country.

It insisted that every Nigerian must be free to live and work in safety anywhere in the country, while the leaders have an important duty to be temperate in their language and actions.

The APC asked Nigerians to be wary of partisan individuals, saying many of them formerly occupied elective positions but failed to tackle many of the criminalities in the country.

“We must be wary of these leaders who now play to the gallery to incite, spread hate and intolerance in the country. Their interventions are not patriotic but in pursuance of their political and selfish interests.

“The APC urges the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the National Assembly, our religious, traditional, political leaders and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians not to be distracted by these unpatriotic antics,” it said.

The party added, “We may not agree on some issues in our national life, but we must continue to explore all peaceful and legitimate avenues to tackle our challenges and find amicable common ground to our disputation.

“Finally, we also call on relevant security agencies to intensify ongoing effort to rid the country of crime, particularly the violent type.”