“At a time when countries all over the world are taking deliberate, coordinated and concerted measures to contain the global outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVlD-19), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sees the need to hold a senseless rally.”
That was the All Progressives Congress assessment of the main opposition party, the PDP, on Wednesday.
The ruling party said the action was thoughtless and shockingly at variance with the current world efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement by the national publicity secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu which was sent to TheNiche recalled the efforts of the federal government in containing the pandemic.
“Nigeria just cancelled the scheduled National Sports Festival, NYSC camps have closed down nationwide, a travel ban on government officials is in place, restricted entry into the country for travellers from 13 countries is in effect, improved emergency medical response across the country is in place among other social distancing steps being taken to protect our country.
On Wednesday, five new cases were announced in the country and efforts are already underway to track persons who have had contact with these confirmed cases.
“Events in most countries of the world and instructions being given by the Nigerian government do not support this criminal activity. Obviously, the PDP is incapable of applying itself to rules and commonsense.
“Even as the APC-led government is making efforts to put in place a new national order for good governance and patriotic citizenship, PDP, living up to its legendary infamy, has continued in its malicious ways.
“How could any group choose this period to pull a crowd together? What is at stake at this moment that requires this level of risk taking? Why do the leaders of PDP not realise this action is capable of putting the entire country in jeopardy?
“For how long would this country put up with a badly behaved and clueless opposition party with irredeemable tendency for taking actions that violate all known moral principles? This is a new low, even for the PDP’s abysmal standards.
“We call on well-meaning Nigerians to plead with the PDP leaders to be responsible for once. This is a time for them to apply some intelligence to their actions.”
Meanwhile, the APC has hailed the reduction in the pump price of petrol from N145 to N125.
The party said “the new pump price of petrol announced by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Wednesday, is a heartwarming news for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and, indeed, all Nigerians.”
It said, “With the new price of N125/litre from the previous N145/litre, President Muhammadu Buhari has, once again, demonstrated his government as responsive and exhibited his unalloyed commitment to the welfare and well being of Nigerians.”
“As a party, this new pro-people decision is no surprise. Since May 29, 2015 when the APC-led Federal Government came on board, it has relentlessly prioritised the common good of all.
“From its revolutionary policies on agriculture, which has elevated Nigeria as Africa’s biggest rice producer, the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), adjudged as the most ambitious on the African continent, to several other interventionist policies, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is achieving beyond doubt the Next Level governance promised during the 2019 electioneering campaign.
“While this reduction would, unarguably, reduce government’s projected revenue, the APC is delighted that the Federal Government places the interests of the people above any other consideration.
“With this noble gesture, our great party is confident that this would reflect positively in the lives of all Nigerians.”