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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being attached to violence.
The APC, in a statement signed by Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (rtd.), Chairman of the party in the state, stated this on Tuesday, saying the APC has reviewed events in the state.
The statement reads: “The APC in Kaduna State has reviewed recent events in our state as the election approaches.
“The APC regards elections as fundamental to the idea of democracy, the mechanism by which citizens freely choose those to lead them.
“Therefore, we insist that elections must be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, devoid of threats and fear. Citizens must allowed to cast their votes without fear for the party of their choice.
“Election campaigns should not be used as a cover to threaten violence or to intimidate people to vote against their conscience, or even to frighten them from turning up to vote.
“We commend the prompt action of the security agencies against politicians that have been inciting violence in the state.
“As APC members, we reiterate our firm commitment to peaceful elections.
“We condemn the PDP for its apparent attachment to violence and its abhorrent inability to disown its senior members who were caught on tape inciting violence.
“Perhaps the PDP, in trying to shielding Ben Bako, is clearly telling Kaduna residents that it does not believe in free and fair elections, and that as a party, they approve and endorse the incitement to kill citizens who do not vote for the PDP.
“Ben Bako was sadly emphatic in goading his listeners to kill APC supporters in southern Kaduna.
“Is the PDP saying that our compatriots in southern Kaduna do not have the right to freely choose a party to support, and to vote for that party without fear?
“Ben Bako, a former commissioner in Kaduna State, stood on a public podium and lied as he was eagerly inciting people.
“Contrary to his assertions, the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government, both controlled by the APC, jointly answered the 30-year old demand for permanent AND ENHANCED security presence in southern Kaduna.
“The Nigerian Army in 2017 CREATED AN ARMY FORMATION AND PROMPTLY established a forward operating base in Kafanchan, and another one is slated for the Kachia area.
“In the same year, the Kaduna State Government provided facilities to accommodate a new permanent mobile police squadron in southern Kaduna BASED IN KAFANCHAN.
“These DECISIONS AND ACTIONS CONFIRM OUR PARTY’S COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF ALL CITIZENS.
“Any civilised politician, with decent political education, knows that you should acknowledge government policies or actions taken to solve a problem, even if you oppose the government in office.
“It is irresponsible to mislead citizens NOT ONLY by lying so brazenly, BUT ENGAGING IN INJURIOUS FALSEHOOD PUNISHABLE UNDER THE KADUNA STATE PENAL CODE.
“We wish to remind everyone that election campaigns do not confer immunity on politicians. Everyone must respect the law, or face the consequences.
“The security agencies have a duty to ensure that every politician, no matter the party to which they belong, should conduct themselves lawfully.
“As a party, we demand even-handed and vigilant action by the security agencies.
“The APC urges the citizens of Kaduna State to vote for our party.
“The PDP has by its recent actions further demonstrated that it is not fit for office. They messed up in the 16 years they were in power, and are now demonstrating that they have nothing to offer but THE PROMOTION OF division and violence.
“The APC appeals for law-abiding conduct from all and encourages all residents of Kaduna State to turn out on Saturday, 16 February 2019 and re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari.