Politics
Stop Playing Politics With Coronavirus, PDP Tells Abdulrazaq
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State chapter has cautioned the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, against playing politics with the Covid-19 pandemic currently ravaging the world.
The party said the state government should put strategy in place that would curtail the spread of the pandemic instead of making unsubstantiated claims that the opposition parties were allegedly planning to incite members of the public against the current total lockdown order in the state.
The state government had Monday alleged that the opposition parties were planning to incite members of the public against the state government over the current lockdown of the state.
In a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday and signed by PDP’s state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tunde Ashaolu, the party described the allegation as unfortunate, ridiculous and downright illogical.
Ashaolu said there was no truth in the allegation by the state government, noting that such baseless accusation was a clear indication that the government was bereft of ideas and strategies to contain the spread of the virus in the state.
According to him, It beats our imagination that the same government that warned people against sharing of fake, unverified news and politicisation of the fight against COVID-19, is the one making unfounded claims and playing politics with a life-threatening disease.
“This is a clear indication that the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration is bereft of ideas and strategies to tackle the spread of the disease.
“As a responsible party, we understand that coronavirus is our common enemy and does not differentiate between party A and party B. It poses threat to our lives and livelihood.
“We will, therefore, never go against any step or effort aimed at curbing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus that has taken the whole world by a storm.
“For the avoidance of doubt, as a people-centric party, we have embarked on series of advocacy and issued press statements, urging members of the public to adhere strictly to the regulations of the state government including the sit-at-home order and also observe all precautionary measures to curb the spread of the disease.
“Also, as a way of assisting people of the state, especially the less privileged, to observe the stay-at-home order and to cushion the effects of the state-wide lockdown, the leader of our party and immediate President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has through his foundation, distributed relief materials including food items, gloves and hand sanitizers to needy people in different parts of the state.
“Additionally, the ABS Foundation educated members of the public on the need to follow basic personal hygiene habits and observe other measures to keep safe.
“How then can any reasonable administration accuse a party that has done this much of planning to incite members of the public against the government? This claim by the Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration is unfortunate, ridiculous and downright illogical.”
It further said that the unfounded accusation is an attempt by the state government to veil its unpreparedness and lack of clearcut strategies to combat the spread of COVID-19, adding that Governor Abdulrazaq is haunted by his failure and irresponsibility.
“The present administration in the state should, however, know that Kwarans are taking stock of Abdulrazaq’s alleged misguided and deceptive actions and utterances and are by now tired of a man, whose stock in trade is to cry wolf where there is none, pass blames and give unnecessary and silly excuses for his failure,” it said.
Ashaolu therefore advised the state government to stop playing politics with coronavirus and urgently fashion out strategic ways to arrest the pandemic.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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