The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has defended its meeting held in Zamfara State on Saturday, faulting the African Democratic Congress for what it described as an attempt to politicise human lives instead of showing empathy to victims of insecurity.
The Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Emmanuel Agbo, said in a statement on Monday that since some members left the party for the ADC, the PDP has grown stronger, more focused, and determined to stay on course.
Just days after attacks claimed lives in parts of Zamfara, PDP governors convened their meeting in Gusau, the state capital, on Friday and Saturday.
In response, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Sunday called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, accusing the PDP of lacking empathy for human lives and being solely driven by the quest for power.
ADC stated, “In a similar vein, we condemn the decision of PDP governors to hold their political meeting in Zamfara on Saturday, only a few days after scores of innocent citizens were slaughtered in that same state.
“Instead of the governors to rally around their beleaguered colleague to help stop the orgy of killings, they chose to stage a political rally at the scene of mass murder, even if it meant trampling on the memory of the victims.
“The photos of PDP governors in full ceremonial robes, grinning for the camera is totally out of place in an environment that still reeks of so much blood and sorrow.”
Reacting, PDP Governors Forum described the ADC’s statement as an “irresponsible” attack, adding that “playing politics and trying to gain political capital with human lives isn’t our stock in trade as is characteristic of the ADC.”
It stated, “The Zamfara meeting was scheduled and not a spur-of-the-moment thing. ADC should have done better by empathising through a visit to the affected states than playing to the gallery.
“The meeting extensively deliberated on the state of the nation, the security situation, amongst other critical issues of national interest and at the end of the day issued a communique that created time and space to comment on the state of insecurity and security reforms as follows.
“The forum, particularly commends initiatives by the government of Zamfara State in significantly curbing insecurity within the state; but condemns the continued monstrous killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger and Benue States and other parts of the country and calls on the federal government to be more responsive to the lives and properties of the citizenry.
“Since their exit, the PDP has become much more formidable, and focused with clear determination to have our eyes on the ball.
“The ADC before now, with their inordinate sense of entitlement, constituted a huge clog to the wheel of national unity and harmony.”
The governors stressed that the worsening security situation in the country was a major concern and therefore dominated their deliberations and resolutions as reflected in the communique.
The statement added, “That the ADC couldn’t see that much isn’t surprising, as the prodigal son wasn’t known to have any pity on his father’s fortune.
“The ADC, having made a decision akin to entering a One Chance vehicle, is again reminded that, like the proverbial forgiving father to the prodigal son, the PDP still has our arms and doors widely open to them if they genuinely act remorsefully in repentance.”
