PDP Playing Desperate Politics Over Boko Haram Attack On Soldiers – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claim that it diverted funds meant to fight terrorism in the Northeast.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, claimed in a statement on Tuesday that PDP’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, “have decided to dance on the graves of our valiant and patriotic soldiers by politicising their deaths in the recent Boko Haram attack.”

Over 100 soldiers were killed while many others are still missing after Boko Haram insurgents overran a Nigerian Army battalion in Metele village in Guzamala local government area of Borno State.

It was also reported that a large cache of arms, ammunition, and military equipments were carted away by extremist fighters during the attack on the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele on Sunday.

Recall that the PDP had in a statement on Monday, accused the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, of diverting funds meant for the military equipment and welfare of soldiers fighting the insurgency in the North-East, to produce APC’s campaign materials including an electronic momento book.

But the APC said the former ruling party were cashing in on the calamity that befell on the nation to score cheap political points.

APC statement reads “The allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that military funds have been diverted to finance the 2019 election campaigns of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a sad reminder of the evil and retrogressive practices the PDP was notorious for during its defunct rule.

“God forbid that the APC inherits and apply such morbid practice as brazenly displayed during the immediate-past PDP administration where funds allocated to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast were shared among PDP leaders and their cronies.

“It is clear that the PDP and its Presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar have decided to dance on the graves of our valiant and patriotic soldiers by politicising their deaths in the recent Boko Haram attack on the Nigerian Army Metele base.

“The PDP and Atiku are playing desperate politics where even the blood of our fallen heroes is fair game. Their actions are callous and insensitive to the families and dependants of the late soldiers and indeed our military which battles daily to ensure our territorial integrity.

“Nigerians see through PDP’s ploy to score political points as elections approach and it will surely backfire.

“While the APC mourns the death of our military and other security personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty, we urge them to remain focused on the brave task of securing the nation.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration remains solidly committed to bringing lasting peace and security to all parts of the country and ensuring that previously displaced persons are rehabilitated to resume their normal and productive lives.”