By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has knocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over comment it made on the rescue of a kidnapped American citizen in Nigeria by U.S. special forces.
In a statement by the party’s deputy national publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, the party said the comment by PDP was aimed at rubbishing the efforts of the security services who have been constantly putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety and secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The PDP in a statement had queried the APC led government for using the military to shoot at unarmed protesters instead of tasking them for rescue operations like the US did of its citizens in the grip of Boko Haram.
The statement reads in part.
“The PDP again chooses to play politics with our national security in its tired, baseless and dull attacks of the President Muhammadu Buhari government.
“The PDP should explain to Nigerians how its immediate-past administration handled the 2014 abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls. To refresh the PDP’s memory, former British prime minister, David Cameron in his book, For the Record, said the Goodluck Jonathan PDP government was “sleeping on the wheel” when the schoolgirls were abducted.
“It is on record that the PDP government did nothing for two weeks after the Chibok schoolgirls abductions dismissing it as a grand political conspiracy while the schoolgirls were continually held and their families suffered in anguish.
“While the PDP still refuses to take responsibility for the tragedy up till now, the same PDP government rejected the British offer to help in the rescue of the Chibok schoolgirls.
“Combating terrorism and other emerging cross border crimes require international collaborations and assistance when necessary.
“As Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, President Buhari swore a constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of citizens. The president has consistently demonstrated that resolve throughout his administration. President Buhari’s reactions and actions after the similar and unfortunate Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping is a pointer to how a responsive government should act,” the statement said.
