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PDP Condemns ‘Disappearance’ Of Gov El-Rufai
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kaduna State chapter has condemned the sudden disappearance of the Governor of the state, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, saying the state is currently operating in an auto pilot mode.
The party equally frowned at the disappearance of the state Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bala Bantex, whom they said left the state without any public notice.
PDP described the development as height of irresponsibility in the part of the governor and the deputy.
ln a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary, Abraham Alberah Catoh in Kaduna yesterday said that the recent killings in Kajuru, Birnin Gwari and Sanga local government Areas could be avoided.
The statement said, “The killings would have been averted if the Federal and State Governments have been up and doing and had fully engaged the Security agencies with the needed proactive measures and equipments to fight insecurity.
“There is no Human Capital Development, and illiteracy amongst our citizens has eaten deep into our citizens, and the lack of education has made our peoples vulnerable.
“We have also observed that the government has intentionally pauparised our citizens through their harsh policies, without any cushion effects (palliatives) to ameliorate their sufferings.
“The effect of harsh programmes of the government without any hope insight, has disillusioned our youths and made them vulnerable to crimes just to survive the hardship; an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
“Apart from the APC’s usual propaganda, there is nothing they have achieved in the last 3 years plus of her administration.
“In terms of Security of lives and property, Nigerians are worse than they use to be before 2015. Kidnappings and banditry has become the order of the day, aside terrorists activities. Corruption has grown to a more advanced level under the APC’s watch.
“The so called N-Power has turned our youths into casual staff that would be disengaged after 2 years, instead of giving them permanent and pensionable employment, as against International Labour Organization charter, of which Nigeria is a signatory.
“Millions of jobs have been lost due to the bad economic policies of the APC led government.
“All these and more, has made Nigerians hopeless, especially with the high wired electoral fraud perpetrated by the APC in the recently yet to be concluded 2019 general elections, with the support of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Nigeria Army, who the APC government have converted into political thugs.
“Where the PDP is leading, results are declared inconclusive or the NA is sent to intimidate, harass and forcefully take away ballot boxes and other sensitive voting material.
“The PDP commiserates with the families of those who lost their lives in the wanton killings and pray for the repose of their souls and also wish the injured quick recovery.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.