‘Stop politicising insecurity’ — PDP governors tackle ADC over criticism of Zamfara meeting
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has reacted to the criticism of its recent meeting in Zamfara state by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement on Monday, Emmanuel Agbo, the director general of the forum, described ADC’s criticism as an attempt to politicise human tragedy rather than show empathy to victims of insecurity.
Agbo said the major opposition party has grown stronger and more focused since some of its former members defected to the ADC.
The governors met in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara, on Friday and Saturday, just days after attacks claimed several lives in the state.
And in a reaction, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s interim national publicity secretary, accused the PDP of insensitivity, urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara.
Abdullahi condemned PDP’s decision to hold the meeting, saying: “Instead of rallying around their colleague to help stop the killings, they chose to stage a political rally at the scene of mass murder… The photos of PDP governors in ceremonial robes grinning for the camera are totally out of place.”
Responding, the PDP Governors’ Forum described the ADC’s position as “irresponsible,” stressing that the meeting had been scheduled in advance and was not meant to trivialise the suffering of victims.
“The meeting extensively deliberated on the state of the nation, security, and other national issues. At the end of the day, the forum issued a communique that addressed insecurity and security reforms,” the statement reads.
The governors commended the Zamfara government’s efforts to tackle insecurity but condemned ongoing killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and other states. They urged the federal government to do more to protect lives and property.
Taking a swipe at the ADC, the forum added that the opposition party has become a “clog to national unity” and likened it to a “prodigal son” that could still be welcomed back to the PDP if it showed remorse.
