By; ABDULL-AZEEZ AHMED KADIR, Kaduna.
The AKIDA platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC Kaduna State has raised concern over developments in the party in recent weeks and recurring killings in some parts of Kaduna State.
The APC AKIDA in a press statement signed by its’ Publicity Secretary Murtala Abubakar said “We are deeply concerned over the course in our party which events are taking, and we make these comments after careful and responsible assessment of all issues at our disposal. The issue of persons who exercise legitimate responsibilities in running our party at State, Local Government and Ward levels is a matter of continuing concern.
“We are constrained to invite attention once again to the need to respect the rights of our members to be led by people who exercise responsibility only on the basis of our constitution”.
The group stressed that “the situation where persons are simply assigned responsibilities to run our party at the whims of those in government is unacceptable and damaging to a party which should retain confidence and mass support.
“We are also alarmed at the seeming determination of Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai to continue his policy of denying fellow citizen of Kaduna State rights to elect Local Government Council leaders. We demand that elections are held to all Local Government Council offices in our State.
“We had welcomed the setting up of the Governor Aminu Masari Committee by our national leadership to look into the problems of the party in our State, and it is on record that we had given it all support. We had also positively responded to an earlier initiative of our National Vice Chairman, North West Zone Barrister Inuwa Abdulkadir to resolve issues in our State chapter of the party.
“Regretfully, we have heard nothing particularly from the Governor Masari Committee, and this is fuelling speculation that the party under the control of Governor Nasiru el-Rufai is beyond reproach, or has no respect for national leadership of our party.
“We are concerned over the resurgence of media war at very top levels in our party and government. We have noted earlier the damage which unrestrained media campaigns of calumny against perceived and actual opponents do to our image as individuals and as political leaders and elders.
“It is particularly sad that this is the only legacy many prominent politicians are leaving behind for the younger generation. We call upon all persons involved in these campaigns in the media to desist and conduct their affairs with decency, decorum and responsibility. We urge law and order agencies to investigate and prosecute all persons involved in acts of violence and destruction, irrespective of their political affiliation.
“We are deeply concerned over escalating violence in the southern parts of our State, and we particularly condemn the appearance of partisanship and the involvement of political, religious and community leaders in the spread and intensification of violence.
“We commend all efforts at containing this dangerous trend, and appeal to all committees to show restraint and due cognizance to all authorities as guarantors of our security. We call on the federal government to improve its presence in terms of protecting lives and property of all citizens in the region”.
The statement concluded by wishing the Christian brethren a peaceful Christmas, and prayed God visit the people with “comfort and His mercies”.
