APC, PDP Condemn Attack On Jonathan’s Campaign Convoy In Katsina

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

By Niyi Adeyi – Lagos – The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned the reported stoning of the campaign convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina State on Tuesday.

The condemnations were contained in the separate statements issued Wednesday by the National Publicity Secretaries of the two parties, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mr. Olisa Metuh of the APC and PDP respectively.

While the APC held that such violence was totally unacceptable to it, the PDP said the development was a contradiction to the violence free elections accord signed by the opposition party and its Presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) last week in Abuja.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed asserted that President Jonathan should be free to campaign anywhere in the country without hindrance.

The opposition’s statement recalled that the attack on the President’s convoy took place a day after the provocative death-wish-for-Buhari newspaper advertorial that was put out in the name of the President, yet, declared that nothing justified the stoning of the President’s convoy anywhere in the country.

APC restated its commitment to a continuous enlightenment of its members and supporters to eschew violence before, during and after next month’s general elections and urged other parties to follow suit.

”We consider election as a celebration of democracy, not a do-or-die affair. Whether or not one agrees with the campaign message of any party, engaging in violence negates the very essence of democracy and should be condemned by all,” the party maintained.