Zamfara: ADC playing politics with human lives

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of allegedly playing politics with the killings in Zamfara State.

The forum, in a statement by its Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, on Monday, said the ADC has always constituted a clog to national unity and harmony.

The opposition governors, who were reacting to ADC criticism of their meeting in Zamfara State last weekend, described the latter as a prodigal son, with an “inordinate sense of entitlement.”

The ADC, in a statement by its interim spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Sunday, accused the PDP governors of staging a political funfair in Zamfara State in the aftermath of the killing of 48 residents of the state.

Nonetheless, the PDP Governors stated that the meeting, which was not scheduled on the spur of the moment, deliberated on the state of the nation and the security situation in the country, amongst others.

“Ordinarily, we would not grant them the rare privilege of joining issues; but it is our sense of responsibility to correct the erroneous impression being forced down the sensibilities of the innocent Nigerian public that necessitates this response.

“Playing politics and trying to gain political capital with human lives isn’t our stock in trade as is characteristic of the ADC. The Zamfara Meeting was scheduled and not a spur-of-the-moment thing. ADC should have done better by empathising through a visit to the affected states than playing to the gallery.”

He added, “The security situation in the country was of grave concern to the PDP Governors that it took centre stage in our deliberation and resolution as contained in the communique.

“That the ADC couldn’t see that much isn’t surprising, as the prodigal son wasn’t known to have any pity on his father’s fortune.

“The ADC, having made a decision akin to entering a ‘One Chance vehicle,’ is again reminded that, like the proverbial forgiving father to the prodigal son, the PDP still has our arms and doors widely open to them if they genuinely act remorsefully in repentance.”