Campaigns: Stop blaming president for personal acts of governors, APC members -NNPP

By Sunday Ani

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said Nigerians should stop blaming President Bola Tinubu for any negative actions by some governors and individuals desperate to be noticed and learn to apportion blames appropriately.

This was contained in a statement by the party’s national secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi yesterday.

The statement followed the controversy generated by the alleged prevention of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi,  from going to meet displaced persons in Benue by thugs alleged to be working for the state government.

Olaposi stated that while it is wrong to stop any Nigerian from freely entering any state, it is also wrong to blame it on the ruling party and the Presidency like some people are doing at the moment.

“If we must get things right in Nigeria, there is a need to stop misleading information, especially for the younger generation.

“As the 2027 general elections campaign began, most over-zealous party members or even governors of some states should learn to exercise restraint in decision taking, thinking they are doing good for their party or candidate. This is because some of these decisions are done without the directive of the party, its leadership and in the case of Benue, the APC and presidency but the blame trickles down.

“Governors should, especially in this season, rein in their supporters and also take the blame for their own actions or inactions.

“When some things happen like what took place in Benue, the governor should not delay by allowing Nigerians and the global world to speculate. It pulls the nation’s ranking down.

“It is sad that most Nigerians blame every negative occurrence on the President. This is a narrative that must change. People involved in certain behaviours must be held accountable for it, even if they feel they are doing it on behalf of a leader, who never sent them to do so.”

He pointed out that the President had been blamed enough for the mistakes of leaders in several parts of the country, which should not be so.

He, however, condemned the prevention of Obi from entering Benue, noting that as a Nigerian, the presidential candidate is free and should be allowed to campaign or visit any state he chooses.

“This goes for every presidential candidate. There should not be restrictions. The NNPP believes in the rule of law and fundamental human rights. We also believe that violators of human rights should face the law.

“What happened in Benue as seen in videos online is despicable and should not be allowed to happen again in Nigeria and especially now that campaigns are on.

“All political party candidates should have equal access to the people. Let them decide who to vote for.”

He, however, urged President Tinubu and the leadership of all political parties to encourage their followers to be law abiding so as to avoid violent clashes in the build up to the 2027 general elections.

“The Benue State government must take responsibility for what the thugs did and should apologise to Nigerians for such action. Nigeria must be great again and the youth should be made conscious of their contributions in nation building.