SAN FRANCISCO, June 21, (THEWILL) – The Sen. Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on steps he had taken to douse tension in the country occasioned by .hate speeches.
Makarfi, Chairman, PDP National Caretaker Committee, at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, said that Osinbajo deserved to the commended as he also commend praised the police for the arrest of notorious kidnap kingpin, Evans.
Makarfi, however, called on government and leaders at all levels to handle emerging challenges confronting the nation in best way possible advising the government to ensure that its programmes, policies and steps were tailored in a manner that no section of this country would have the impression that it didn’t count.
He also urged the security agencies and the judiciary to ensure that criminals faced the full wrath of the law saying that PDP believed that in any democratic space, allowance must be made for people to express grievances and agitate for the redress of such adding that while PDP had no problem with agitations, those calling for succession should respect the rights legitimate rights and dignity of other citizens.
“Hate speeches either coming from the North, South, East or West must be avoided and be condemned by all of us,” he said.
“As a country and a people, we have faced several developmental challenges; some have been resolved while many others are yearning for resolution.
“Even after such resolution as it’s typical of the evolution of human societies, we should expect to be confronted by new and emerging challenges.
“It is thus the responsibility of each generation of our leaders to grapple with and handle such emerging challenges in the best way possible. It is always a work in progress.”
On herdsmen and farmers’ clashes, he said that while both groups had constitutionally guaranteed rights to existence, government needed to come up with measures that would once-and-for-all address the issue.
“We must, however, be able to differentiate between the business of peaceful cattle rearing and criminal activities and take appropriate steps to protect lives and property,” he continued.
“We must also secure our borders in order to prevent the influx of foreigners who may not respect the laws of our land.
“Of concern also is the issue of cattle rustling, which is also taking an altogether unprecedented dimension.
“This unlike the pastoralists/farmers problem, is clearly an issue of criminality, which governments and security agencies need to wake up to, to reassure victims that the state is there for them also.”
