Date: 2015-03-02

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of institutionalizing its unwavering penchant for bloodshed and violence with the formation of PDP War Council (PWC) ahead of the forthcoming general election.

The party called on the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Suleiman Abba, to brace up for the task of protecting Kwarans and their properties.

In a statement issued in Ilorin at the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Sulyman Buhari, the party expressed concerns over the formation of PDP War Council (PWC) while stating that election is not a war.

“It has become necessary and imperative to alert the people of Kwara State and all security agencies that the opposition PDP has institutionalised its unwavering penchant for bloodshed and violence with the formation of PDP War Council (PWC) ahead of the forthcoming general election.

“The PDP should not be taken for granted due to its rich antecedents in the field of thuggery and violence. It was the PDP that sponsored multiple attacks on our campaign train at Isapa and Oyun in February, 2015. It was the PDP that recently coordinated the massive destruction and defacing of APC billboards at Adeta area, Garin-Alimi roundabout, Offa garage area and other areas of Ilorin metropolis.

“ It was the PDP that was indicted for the attack on Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s convoy at Kaiama. It was PDP thugs that brutally attacked journalists on November 29, 2014 for no offence other than the decision of the journalists to give routine coverage to its party congress. It is PDP that has been alleged of hiring hired assassins for usage before, during and after elections. In fact, the violent ideology of PDP consumed its members at the congresses the PDP held in Kwara State. From all indications, the PDP is an unrepentant promoter of violence. When such a party constitutes War Council to pursue elections, it amounts to institutionalisation of violence and it calls for serious concerns.

“Our party, the APC, do not take politics as a war, our disposition and actions have always been on peaceful, participatory and impactful democracy.
However, the PDP has shown beyond doubt that it has nothing but violence to offer the people. Violence can never be an option for our people and the APC has consistently campaigned against violence in Kwara State both in words and deeds.

“The APC gathered that the decision by Kwara PDP leaders to constitute PDP War Council (PWC) was informed by their conviction that the forthcoming general election is a war and the war must be fought with all mercenaries  and weapons available to the PDP. The 21-man PDP War Council which has a retired Colonel as member, also has the PDP Chairman, Mr. Iyiola Oyedepo as its chairman.

“While we do not know the tactics and modus operandi with which the PDP intends to pursue its war agenda, we do know that the fundamental elements of war are fighters, weaponry amongst others. It is quite known in Kwara State that the PDP has an army of rampaging armed thugs that could be used to pursue its war agenda. On weaponry, perhaps, the PDP has already acquired sophisticated weapons or at the verge of acquisition. Perhaps, the recent largesse doled out to the PDP by the drowning Presidency has been channelled for purchase of weapons in order to torment and maim the people of Kwara State.

“We emphasise that PDP War Council can not be likened to the regular security committees of political parties because the PDP has its security committee headed by Hon Ladi Edun. It behoves on Kwara PDP to explain to Kwarans and the world why it is pursuing a war agenda when the APC, other political parties, INEC and stakeholders are campaigning for peaceful and credible elections.
“The peace accord pact the PDP governorship candidate in Kwara State signed alongside our governorship candidate, Governor Ahmed means nothing to PDP and its candidate. Or how do anyone explain the inconsistency of signing a non-violence pact and the formation of PDP War Council in the state.

“If the PDP refuses to back down on its war agenda, with the collective will and strength of Kwarans, the fire the PDP ignited will certainly burn and consume the PDP in the state.

“We call on the IG, Abba, Kwara State Police Command and other security agencies to investigate and prosecute Kwara PDP based on the highlighted reasons and brace up for the task of protecting the good people of the state and their properties before, during and after the forthcoming elections,” the statement read.