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.
Chairman of the forum and Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, who read the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting to journalists, noted that in the meeting held at the NGF Secretariat, Abuja, the governors deliberated on several issues. On the killings, Yari said, “The forum strongly condemned recent attacks in Plateau State and the spate of insecurity in the country. Members commiserated with the government and people of Plateau and other States including victims who were caught in transit travelling to and from neighbouring states. “Governors unanimously called for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the attacks and resolved to find a quick and common solution to the security crisis. The forum resolved to pay a condolence visit to Plateau State to commiserate with the government and people of 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.