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”.
https://leadership.ng/2018/06/29/prosecute-perpetrators-of-plateau-killings-govs-tell-pmb/