Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress, has appealed to Nigerians to shun divisive statements that are fanning the flames of insecurity in the country.
The APC National Secretary Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe who made the appeal in a press statement said the APC will not play politics with the wellbeing of Nigerians.
He said such statements are made by unpatriotic and partisan individuals who are trying to exploit the security situation for personal gains.
Senator Akpanudoedehe noted that it is only in a secure environment that development can flourish.
“Only in safety can we enjoy the current agriculture revolution which has seen Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in rice and other staple food items.
“Only in safety can we enjoy the current infrastructure revolution that has witnessed the rehabilitation, construction and reconstruction of over 13,000 kilometres of critical federal roads, construction of thousands of affordable and acceptable housing and ofcourse the ongoing national railway projects gainfully connecting cities and towns across the country.
“Again, we must not fall for the plot of sectarian opportunists and unpatriotic partisans who have swarmed the public space with divisive rhetoric in furtherance of their selfish plot to exploit the security situation for hideous gains. It is dangerous to national security and we should not let them succeed.
“The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is criminalising crime, not ethnicity. The president’s charge to the newly-appointed service chiefs was clear: “We are in a state of emergency. Be patriotic, serve the country well, as your loyalty is to the country” he said.
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Senator Akpanudoedehe added that the APC as the party in government is focused on finding and bringing to justice the people responsible for perpetrating the various crimes in the country.
“As a progressive party in government, we are fully focussed on identifying and bringing to book the perpetrators and sponsors of this hydra-headed insecurity monster and consolidating on our visible development strides. While the party sympathises with all affected by the security incidents, we call on all to unite against insecurity and criminality, however expressed.
“Our security services deserve our continued support and cooperation as they undertake their constitutional duty to safeguard citizen’s life, property and our territorial integrity. In our private and public spaces, we have a duty to be vigilant and volunteer information on strange and suspicious activities around us. The President Buhari government will continue and strategically deploy all state resources in achieving public safety.
“We must shun the antics and activities of unpatriotic and sectarian opportunists fanning divisive embers, promote peaceful coexistence, eschew bitterness and unite against insecurity and crime, for the development of the country,” he said.
Zainab Sa’id
