Governors of the 36 states of the
federation have implored President Muhammadu Buhari to fish out and
prosecute the perpetrators of the recent killings on the Plateau.
LEADERSHIP Friday reports that there had been public outcry over the
latest massacre in which suspected killer herdsmen reportedly killed
over 100 people in Plateau State. Rising from a meeting of the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja in the early hours of yesterday, the
governors also resolved to hold a security meeting with the Service
Chiefs. While condemning the attacks, they commiserated with the
government and people of Plateau State, just as resolved to pay a
condolence visit to the state.
“Governors noted with delight and thanked
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for their
quick response and visit to Plateau State to show empathy to the people
of the state. We equally commend Governor Simon Lalong for the way he
handled the very sad situation. Governors resolved to hold a one-day
meeting with the security chiefs to come up with a holistic solution to
the country’s security situation.” The NGF chairman also disclosed that
the governors also received a briefing from the Nigeria Communications
Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
respectively. He said the presentation from NCC revolved around the
broadband deployment, which would expand the economic fortunes of the
country, while that of the NNPC was on the security of the energy
sector.
“The forum received presentation from the Executive Vice
Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Unar
Garba Danbatta on Broadband Deployment in Nigeria. Governors
acknowledged the importance if broadband deployment for both economic
development and revenue generation, and pledged to work closely with the
Commission and nfrastructure Companies to remove the impediments to
broadband deployment including unifying right of way charges and
addressing multiple regulation and multiple taxation. “Following a
briefing on Energy Security and Cross-border Leakages, Effects on
Remittances to the Federation Account by the Group Managing Director of
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr.
Maikanti
Baru, represented by the Chief Executive, Downstream, NNPC, Henry Ikem
Obi, and the Director of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr.
Mordecai
Danteni Baba Ladan, represented by Team Lead, Terminal Operation, DPR,
Idris Abdulraham, governors pledged to continue to engage with the
federal government, the leadership of NNPC, DPR, the Nigeria Customs
Service (NCS) and other security agencies to curb hoarding, diversion,
smuggling and illegal hike in ex-depot or retail pump price to safeguard
Nigeria’s energy security.
“Finally, governors reiterated their
resolve to implement the PMS supply and distribution monitoring system
in each state”, he said.
It's Unacceptable, PDP Insists
But
in a swift reaction, the major opposition party in the country
described as reprehensible the presidency’s condemnation of its plan to
declare a seven-day mourning and flying their flags at half-mast in
honour of the dead and solidarity with the bereaved.
The party
also said it is shocked by the statement credited to the presidency
justifying its failure to stem the tide of killings and bloodletting in
the country, particularly in Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa,
Borno, Kogi, Taraba and other troubled states.
National publicity
secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement he issued
yesterday said, “It is disturbing that even in death, the Buhari
Presidency still wants to deny these victims of callous murder the
honour of being mourned.
“We are particularly appalled that
instead of joining Nigerians in mourning the dead and seeking ways to
stem the escalation of the bloodletting under its watch, the Buhari
Presidency is engaged in morbid reference to past killings as if the
lives of Nigerians have no value under President Buhari’s watch.”
The
PDP stressed that as a party it will continue to identify with
Nigerians at this troubled time, irrespective of ethnic, religious and
political affiliations.
Noting that it will not allow itself to
be “dragged into a needless mire with the Buhari Presidency, which has
shown by its statement, that it has no iota of regard for the lives of
Nigerians”, the PDP urged the “Buhari Presidency to confront the
challenge of fulfilling the basic responsibility of governance by
providing security to the lives and property of all Nigerians
irrespective of their creed, tribe and political affiliations.
“Finally,
the PDP assures Nigerians that we will not be deterred in speaking out
against the killings and the failure of the Buhari administration to
take concrete steps to stem this ugly tide,” the party added.
Shedding Crocodile Tears, Presidency Tells PDP
Meanwhile,
the presidency yesterday fired back at the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) over its reactions to the recent killings on the Plateau.
In
a statement by the special adviser to the president on media and
publicity, Femi Adesina, the presidency regretted that the opposition
party has availed itself of the opportunity created by the sad and
unfortunate killings in Plateau State play irresponsible politics. The
presidency was reacting to PDP’s statement issued on Wednesday in which
the party announced that it was declaring seven days of mourning, during
which flags in its offices would be flown at half-mast nationwide.
According
to Adesina, while “these are dolorous times that call for deep
introspection on how cheap human lives have become and the proffering of
actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind, the PDP would rather
dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics”.
The
presidential spokesman who described the PDP as a “comatose and
prostrate party”, pointed out that PDP’s flags had been forcefully
lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, adding that itm”ay remain so
for a long time to come because Nigerians are politically discerning,
and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics”.
Giving a quick
checklist of what he described as some savage and brutal killings in
Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national
mourning was declared, Adesina recalled that on November 20, 1999, Odi
in Bayelsa State was invaded on orders of a PDP president, with about
2,500 people killed and there was no national mourning.
He
continued: “Between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were
killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No
national mourning. In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old,
infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.
Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in
internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags
were not flown at half-mast. In February 2004, at least 975 people were
killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling
PDP. “Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with
381 deaths. No mourning. In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the
word. In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least
1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning. Boko Haram
killings in PDP years were over 10,000. PDP flags were still fluttering
proudly in the sky”.
Accordingly, Adesina stated: “Those who take
pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim they are
saying that many more people were killed under PDP than under President
Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so. “The ntendment of
this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for a
while; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should
be given the opportunity to do so. “Even a single soul is precious, and
no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic
situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be
used to play crude politics. Those who are wont to do so should have
change of hearts, or lose their very humanity".
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Prosecute Perpetrators Of Plateau Killings - Governors Tell President Buhari
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Prosecute Perpetrators Of Plateau Killings - Governors Tell President Buhari
Governors of the 36 states of the
federation have implored President Muhammadu Buhari to fish out and
prosecute the perpetrators of the recent killings on the Plateau.
LEADERSHIP Friday reports that there had been public outcry over the
latest massacre in which suspected killer herdsmen reportedly killed
over 100 people in Plateau State. Rising from a meeting of the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja in the early hours of yesterday, the
governors also resolved to hold a security meeting with the Service
Chiefs. While condemning the attacks, they commiserated with the
government and people of Plateau State, just as resolved to pay a
condolence visit to the state.
“Governors noted with delight and thanked
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for their
quick response and visit to Plateau State to show empathy to the people
of the state. We equally commend Governor Simon Lalong for the way he
handled the very sad situation. Governors resolved to hold a one-day
meeting with the security chiefs to come up with a holistic solution to
the country’s security situation.” The NGF chairman also disclosed that
the governors also received a briefing from the Nigeria Communications
Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
respectively. He said the presentation from NCC revolved around the
broadband deployment, which would expand the economic fortunes of the
country, while that of the NNPC was on the security of the energy
sector.
“The forum received presentation from the Executive Vice
Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Unar
Garba Danbatta on Broadband Deployment in Nigeria. Governors
acknowledged the importance if broadband deployment for both economic
development and revenue generation, and pledged to work closely with the
Commission and nfrastructure Companies to remove the impediments to
broadband deployment including unifying right of way charges and
addressing multiple regulation and multiple taxation. “Following a
briefing on Energy Security and Cross-border Leakages, Effects on
Remittances to the Federation Account by the Group Managing Director of
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr.
Maikanti
Baru, represented by the Chief Executive, Downstream, NNPC, Henry Ikem
Obi, and the Director of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr.
Mordecai
Danteni Baba Ladan, represented by Team Lead, Terminal Operation, DPR,
Idris Abdulraham, governors pledged to continue to engage with the
federal government, the leadership of NNPC, DPR, the Nigeria Customs
Service (NCS) and other security agencies to curb hoarding, diversion,
smuggling and illegal hike in ex-depot or retail pump price to safeguard
Nigeria’s energy security.
“Finally, governors reiterated their
resolve to implement the PMS supply and distribution monitoring system
in each state”, he said.
It's Unacceptable, PDP Insists
But
in a swift reaction, the major opposition party in the country
described as reprehensible the presidency’s condemnation of its plan to
declare a seven-day mourning and flying their flags at half-mast in
honour of the dead and solidarity with the bereaved.
The party
also said it is shocked by the statement credited to the presidency
justifying its failure to stem the tide of killings and bloodletting in
the country, particularly in Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa,
Borno, Kogi, Taraba and other troubled states.
National publicity
secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement he issued
yesterday said, “It is disturbing that even in death, the Buhari
Presidency still wants to deny these victims of callous murder the
honour of being mourned.
“We are particularly appalled that
instead of joining Nigerians in mourning the dead and seeking ways to
stem the escalation of the bloodletting under its watch, the Buhari
Presidency is engaged in morbid reference to past killings as if the
lives of Nigerians have no value under President Buhari’s watch.”
The
PDP stressed that as a party it will continue to identify with
Nigerians at this troubled time, irrespective of ethnic, religious and
political affiliations.
Noting that it will not allow itself to
be “dragged into a needless mire with the Buhari Presidency, which has
shown by its statement, that it has no iota of regard for the lives of
Nigerians”, the PDP urged the “Buhari Presidency to confront the
challenge of fulfilling the basic responsibility of governance by
providing security to the lives and property of all Nigerians
irrespective of their creed, tribe and political affiliations.
“Finally,
the PDP assures Nigerians that we will not be deterred in speaking out
against the killings and the failure of the Buhari administration to
take concrete steps to stem this ugly tide,” the party added.
Shedding Crocodile Tears, Presidency Tells PDP
Meanwhile,
the presidency yesterday fired back at the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) over its reactions to the recent killings on the Plateau.
In
a statement by the special adviser to the president on media and
publicity, Femi Adesina, the presidency regretted that the opposition
party has availed itself of the opportunity created by the sad and
unfortunate killings in Plateau State play irresponsible politics. The
presidency was reacting to PDP’s statement issued on Wednesday in which
the party announced that it was declaring seven days of mourning, during
which flags in its offices would be flown at half-mast nationwide.
According
to Adesina, while “these are dolorous times that call for deep
introspection on how cheap human lives have become and the proffering of
actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind, the PDP would rather
dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics”.
The
presidential spokesman who described the PDP as a “comatose and
prostrate party”, pointed out that PDP’s flags had been forcefully
lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, adding that itm”ay remain so
for a long time to come because Nigerians are politically discerning,
and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics”.
Giving a quick
checklist of what he described as some savage and brutal killings in
Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national
mourning was declared, Adesina recalled that on November 20, 1999, Odi
in Bayelsa State was invaded on orders of a PDP president, with about
2,500 people killed and there was no national mourning.
He
continued: “Between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were
killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No
national mourning. In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old,
infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.
Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in
internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags
were not flown at half-mast. In February 2004, at least 975 people were
killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling
PDP. “Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with
381 deaths. No mourning. In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the
word. In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least
1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning. Boko Haram
killings in PDP years were over 10,000. PDP flags were still fluttering
proudly in the sky”.
Accordingly, Adesina stated: “Those who take
pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim they are
saying that many more people were killed under PDP than under President
Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so. “The ntendment of
this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for a
while; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should
be given the opportunity to do so. “Even a single soul is precious, and
no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic
situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be
used to play crude politics. Those who are wont to do so should have
change of hearts, or lose their very humanity".
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