…U.S Condemns Growing Extremism; Atiku Wants Foreign Assistance, IYC Warns Terrorists
BEVERLY HILLS, CA, May 02, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged all Nigerians to jettison all parochial interests and join forces with government by exposing terrorist elements, noting that it is the ordinary people that have remained victims of insurgency in the country.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Friday said Nigerians must realise that regular citizens have generally become targets irrespective of religious and ethnic differences and as such must stand up and join hands with government in the fight against terrorism.
“Nigerians must realise that it is no longer about the President or the government, neither is it about government officials, all Nigerians are under attack. Ordinary people and regular citizens have remained general targets of these enemies of our country.
“Hundred of innocent Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike have had their lives brutally ended by the wicked acts of these terrorists. Our people, businessmen and women, professionals, including security men, doctors and nurses, lawyers, artisans, market women, civil servants, farmers, school children, clerics, artistes, old men and women and bread winners pursuing legitimate endeavors have been brutalized and slaughtered.
“Those behind these devilish acts seek mainly to intimidate, cow, frighten and destroy us thereby imposing a regime of terror, anarchy and chaos. They seek to decimate us as a people, destroy our common heritage and bring our nation to its knees, but they will surely fail. They cannot intimidate us, we shall not be cowed, we refuse to be frightened and we will not be destroyed. Let them know that our common resolve to live as one people under God remains irrevocable”, the party stated.
Calling on the citizens to unite as one people against insurgency, the party said, “To win this battle, all citizens must come together and present a common front against terrorism irrespective of our religious, political and ethnic differences. We must refuse to be slaughtered by our enemies; we must show bravery, go beyond shedding tears at each carnage and forcefully support our government and our security men and women by exposing terrorist elements and their backers among us. That is the only way to put the enemy under check and ensure that the blood of the slain was not shed in vain.”
Stating that it will never compromise its belief in Nigerians and the Nigerian project, the PDP urged the people not to be forlorn adding that a brighter future awaits the nation in no distant time.
“As a party entrusted with the sacred mandate of leadership, the PDP will never compromise or jettison its belief and commitment to the national interest. We remain steadfast in our belief in Nigerians and the Nigerian project. We reiterate that working together, our nation will come out of these challenges, a stronger, more united and more peaceful nation where all will live in peace and unity irrespective of ethnic, religious and political differences” the statement said.
Meanwhile,the United States of America, in a statement, issued by the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, Public Affairs Section, Abuja on Friday, strongly condemned the explosion , saying: Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who were killed or injured in this heinous act.”
According to the statement, “This attack is not only on innocent people but on a democratic nation itself. Lawless violence and intimidation have no place in a democracy.
“We continue to stand with the Nigerian government and people as they face the threat of violent extremism.”
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) also condemn the bombing as it sent a strong warning to the insurgents that Nigerians belongs to all.
In a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, on Friday, IYC warned those behind the insurgency to desist adding that if their plans was to intimidate President Goodluck Jonathan, then their plans had failed on arrival.
The statement, while condemning the attack which occurred barely two weeks after a similar explosion killed tens of thousands of Nigerians, said the activities of Boko Haram in recent times have clearly shown that Nigerians from all walks of life are the targets.
“It is war for all Nigerians to fight as it is against our collective destiny, if we are committed to the Nigerian project”, IYC said.
“Nigerians must in unison rise up against this challenge. Christians, Muslims, Idol worshippers, men, women, youths, PDP, APC, LP, APGA etc must rise up to protect Nigeria.”
On his part, former Vice president Atiku Abubakar, reiterated his call on the Federal Government to enlist international support in its current war against terrorism.
Reacting to the second bombing in Nyanya in a statement by his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said it was high time Nigeria solicited international support to tackle its current tough and seemingly intractable security challenges.
While commending the sacrifices and patriotism of our security forces in dealing with the threats of terrorist violence, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, however, advised Nigeria to urgently seek international support and should do so urgently.
According to him, terrorism is relatively new to Nigeria and our security men and women are up against a deadly unconventional enemy that doesn’t bother about the rules of engagement. Therefore, he advised the Federal Government to seek assistance because the world is so interconnected that no nation should be an island onto itself.
He explained that because of the global dimension of terrorism, no developing country like Nigeria should go it alone, adding “we need to learn from the professional experiences and ideas of other countries confronted by terrorist threats”
The Turaki Adamawa expressed his condolences to families of the dead while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
