By Priscilla Campbell,
Minna
The Niger State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello-led administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the ceaseless bandit attacks on people in the state.
It lamented that the development has plunged the state into a ‘Guantanamo status’ where people now live in terror.
In its Christmas and New year message to Nigerlites on Monday, the Niger PDP also accused the ruling APC in the state for what it described as wide spread poverty, insecurity and economic debauchery.
The party in a statement by its state Chairman, Tanko Beji, in Minna, criticized Governor Bello for his ineptness and Senator Sani Musa for sponsoring a Social Media strangulation bill instead of an emergency, quick response and support to victims bill.
Beji said, “The state security architecture is almost broken down as 10 out of the 15 wards in Shiroro Local Government Area are under bandits’ attacks with several killed.
“The APC arrogance of illiteracy have pushed the state to a ‘Guantanamo status. From that region came an APC Senator who sponsors Social Media strangulation bill instead of emergency and quick response and support to victims bill. Where is the Governor who swore to protect and defend the people? Paris? London? Or New York? Certainly not Minna!”
The state PDP chairman also decried the electoral misconduct that pervaded the LG election particularly in Tafa, Agaie, Bida, Chanchaga, Paikoro, Mashegu, Rafi, Lavun, Lapai, Katcha and other places.
According to the statement, “In all, we are worried about the nosediving trend the state has taken in all indexes of human development, the lack of vision, the poor governance or lack of it, the rising insecurity, the absentee leadership and the irredeemable fall of every facet of the state.”
While praying for better life and prosperity for the people, it stated, “Ordinarily, Nigerlites should be one of the, if not the happiest people in Nigeria, having the largest land mass, proximity to the FCT, numerous tourist attractions, solid minerals deposits, youthful manpower, well educated population, hydro power dams, abundant wise men but, unfortunately, they have poor leadership by APC.”
The party added, “All road networks into the state and out are death traps, the airport is in tatters, the water ferries are the only ones left behind by the PDP administration since 2015, yet N850m was said to have been spent in 2019 on the purchase of vehicles for the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA).”