By Pascal Oparada
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, is under fire over his statement comparing death tolls under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations and his boss, the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Adesina had on Thursday released statistics of killings in the 16 years of the PDP administration and Buhari, saying that of PDP was higher.
The statement reads:
The sad and unfortunate killings in Plateau State over the weekend have been turned to an opportunity to once again play irresponsible politics, particularly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which says it is declaring seven days of mourning.
These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind. But the PDP would rather dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics.
The comatose and prostrate party is declaring seven days of mourning, during which flags in its offices would be flown at half-mast nationwide. But unknown to the party, those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls and may remain so for a long time to come, because Nigerians are politically discerning, and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics.
A quick checklist of some savage and brutal killings in Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national mourning was declared:
– November 20, 1999. Odi, in Bayelsa State, was invaded on orders of a PDP President. About 2,500 people killed. No national mourning.
– Between February and May 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning.
– In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.
– Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half mast.
– In February 2004, at least 975 people were killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling PDP.
– Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with 381 deaths.
No mourning.
– In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the word.
– In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least 1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning.
– Boko Haram killings in PDP years were over 10,000. PDP flags were still fluttering proudly in the sky.
Those who take pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim we are saying that many more people were killed under PDP than under President Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so. The intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for awhile; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.
Even a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be used to play crude politics. Those who are wont to do so should have a change of hearts, or lose their very humanity,” the statement said.
People have called the statement unconscionable with many saying he had crossed the line.
Femi Hart said on Twitter that Adesina went overboard with his statement.
“That Femi Adesina death toll comparison release was unconscionable. He is a personal friend and respected elder brother. I’ve known him closely for 15 years. He calls my children by name but no. That crossed the line of sanity, empathy, and decency. I condemn it wholeheartedly,” Hart said.
Dr. Dipo Awojide said Adesina’s statement smirks of sycophancy and reminded him that Buhari would not be in power forever.
Jackson Ude, a communications professional, said it was the silliest press statement he had ever seen.
“I just read Femi Adesina’s press statement on PDP and the killings and all I can say as a communications professional is that Adesina’s release is the silliest press statement I have ever seen. I don’t know where he was trained as a spokesperson. He is not qualified for that job,” Ude Said.
Media practitioner, Eromo Egbejule, said Adesina is using the deaths of people to play checks and balances.
“Femi Adesina is really using the deaths of innocent citizens to play Check & Balance. A clergyman who ought to know a thing or two about preserving honour of these victims – whose government failed them – even in death,” Egbejule said.
Adesina’s statement has attracted over 5,000 tweets on Friday, June 29, 2018, most of the comments negative, and has remained number four on Twitter Trends.