The leadership of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progress Congress (APC) of being partners in crime with bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements in the country.
The reaction followed the revelation that the government entered into negotiations to effect the release of the abducted Kankara schoolboys that were kidnapped by bandits in Katsina state.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP lamented that the APC has been acting as a mouthpiece of bandits and openly seen fraternizing with leaders of the criminal elements.
He said: “The APC has been acting as the mouthpiece of bandits, rationalising killings and kidnapping, showing express sympathy to terrorists, refusing to condemn acts of terrorism, but attacking any person or groups that dare to criticise the activities of these bandits or demand unconditional release of abductees.”
“Moreover, the statement credited to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, wherein he attempted to rationalise the abduction of the students as a normal occurrence in other parts of the world, validated apprehensions of high-level conspiracy against helpless Nigerians,”
According to the PDP: “This is particularly against the backdrop of reported declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari that the abductors and tormentors of our 600 traumatised and brutalised students were rather “settled,” a statement that does not only confirm that the Presidency cannot combat terrorists, but also explains why banditry, kidnapping and acts of terrorism have become a thriving bloody business under the APC.”
“It is also very worrisome that our government under the APC can no longer battle bandits and insurgent and now has to rely on nascent groups coordinated by APC leaders to negotiate and pay ransom to assailants.”