The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has faulted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its criticism of the forum’s Saturday meeting in Gusau, Zamfara State.
The forum, in a statement by its Director-General, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, on Monday in Abuja, described the ADC’s comment as “irresponsible,” saying the party should have empathised with the victims of recent killings in Zamfara and Katsina through solidarity visits rather than “playing to the gallery.”
The ADC had on Sunday condemned the massacre of worshippers in Katsina and other killings in Zamfara, while also criticising the PDP governors for holding a political meeting in Zamfara just days after the attacks.
ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, described the action as insensitive, saying instead of rallying around their colleague to help stop the killings, the governors staged a “political rally” in a community still mourning.
Abdullahi said photographs of PDP governors “grinning for the camera” in Zamfara were “totally out of place in an environment that still reeks of blood and sorrow.”
Reacting, Agbo dismissed the ADC’s statement as a “desperate attempt to gain political capital with human lives.”
“Ordinarily, we would not grant them the rare privilege of joining issues, but it is our sense of responsibility to correct the erroneous impression being forced down the sensibilities of the innocent Nigerian public that necessitates this response.
“Playing politics with human lives isn’t our stock in trade, as is characteristic of the ADC. The Zamfara meeting was scheduled and not a spur-of-the-moment decision. ADC should have done better by empathising through a visit to the affected states than playing to the gallery,” Agbo said.
He recalled that the PDP-GF meeting extensively deliberated on the security situation and issued a communiqué that addressed insecurity and proposed reforms.
According to him, the forum commended efforts by the Zamfara Government in tackling insecurity and condemned killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, Benue and other states.
Agbo also claimed that the PDP had become “more formidable and focused” since the exit of ADC members.
“The ADC, before now, with their inordinate sense of entitlement, constituted a huge clog to national unity and harmony.
“The security situation in the country is of grave concern to PDP governors, hence it took centre stage in our deliberations. That the ADC could not see that is not surprising.
“The ADC having entered a one chance vehicle is again reminded that, like the proverbial forgiving father to the prodigal son, the PDP still has its arms and doors wide open if they genuinely act remorsefully in repentance,” Agbo added.
(NAN)