SAN FRANCISCO, December 04, (THEWILL) – The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the nation, saying much still has to be done in almost all facets of national life.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of the party’s leaders in Abuja on Tuesday, APC specifically listed the issues of security and Boko Haram; the universities lecturers’ imbroglio; political persecution, the police and the bungled Anambra State governorship election as areas that left much to be desired.
On security and Boko Haram, the party, in the communiqué signed by its interim national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said: ‘’Since the declaration of state of emergency in key north eastern states affected by the Insurgency, life and property have been under severe attacks. A large number of residents have been displaced and forced to migrate to adjourning states or outside the country.
‘’These victims have been uprooted from their homes, families and jobs. They have lost hope in the ability of their country to protect them. Clearly the state of emergency has failed. To make the matters worse, the elected governors and the other stake holders of the areas are ignored and totally excluded by the Federal government agencies.
‘’Never since the Nigerian civil war has a major military establishment been so grounded as the onslaught on the military base in Maiduguri on December 2,2013. ‘’This gradual deterioration of security and mounting civilian casualties are symptomatic of the failure of intelligence, political naivety and disconnect between Jonathan administration and current realities of the Nigerian situation.’’
The party maintained that the issue of compensation should not be one of negotiations, saying the government must compensate victims. It however said the Lemu report with its template for an interim escape route provides the basis for constructive engagement even as it urged the government to dust it up along relevant reports on Nigerian security to assist it in its strategy towards effective national security.
On the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the communiqué said: ‘’The protracted strike is not so much the fault of the lecturers but that of the Jonathan administration to confront key issues of university education and administration today. The current impasse has paralysed tertiary education nationwide, compromised security by creating idle youth potentially foreclosing prospects for a bright future.
‘’Now is the time for the Jonathan administration to show leadership by working with university lecturers to find a lasting a lasting to the challenges confronting university education.
‘’In terms of funding, infrastructure, standards and welfare and administration. This is not the time for threats but partnerships and comprise, because the youth are our best resource for tomorrow. As a political party, as parents and guardians, our heart goes out to millions of our youths who have been deprived their right to education for over half of an academic session through no fault of theirs.’’
Citing the bungling of the Delta Senatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Anambra State debacle as a signpost of a broken electoral system, ‘’especially when the umpire openly admits failure, surrenders with no intent for electoral justice,’’ APC said ‘’Less than six months to elections in Ekiti and Osun with 2015 looming ahead, we are burdened with an INEC that has been de-robed in the public eye, unprepared, compromised and does not inspire faith in the electorate.’’
APC stated further: ‘’The scale of electoral fraud witnessed in Delta and Anambra portends grave danger for our democracy. INEC needs an urgent and necessary overhaul. The APC calls for full implementation of the Justice Uwais report on electoral reforms. Rather than a selective approach, we demand a wholesale implementation of the recommendations submitted.
‘’The independence of INEC, the institution of full biometrics that can guarantee the protection of one man, one vote and the integrity of the election process are cornerstone of a credible electoral system.’’
Lamenting political persecution in the country, the communiqué said: ‘’The abuse of public anti-corruption institutions by the Federal Government and the ruling party in persecuting perceived political enemies undermines the integrity of these institutions and subverts the rule of law. We have watched the trend in which selected Governors and other top political figures are being victimised.
‘’This does not bode well for a civil relationship in our body politic. It emphasises revenge over fairness and breeds, malice, rancour and distrust. For avoidance of doubt, we will wage a consistent and persistent war against corruption and plug wastages. Corruption under the current federal government is endemic and Nigeria’s rating has never being this bad.’’
On the police, the party said: ‘’The Presidency and the ruling party have deployed the police against the highest principles of federalism. Example of Rivers and Abuja Governors’ meeting at Kano Lodge where even subordinate police officers act with impunity has turned Nigeria into a neo fascist state. This contradicts the very basis of democracy and violates the fundamental rights of citizens and elected officers who do not belong to the ruling party and perceived as enemies of the presidency.
‘’This tendency of turning the Police Force into the Rottweiler of the presidency and the ruling party must be condemned and challenged by all lovers of democracy and human rights. This abuse of the police is bad omen for 2015.’’
