The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum, has accused former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, of peddling propaganda and lies over his claim that insecurity has worsened in the region under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
El-Rufai made the claim in an interview on Channels
Television on Sunday evening, where he accused the Tinubu administration of
paying bandits.
However, reacting to the former FCT minister’s claim on
Monday, the North-Central APC Forum, in a statement by its Chairman, Alhaji
Saleh Zazzaga, insisted that the Tinubu administration has reduced the level of
insecurity in the region since he assumed office in 2023.
The APC Forum noted that while the region is not fully free
of the attacks by armed herdsmen, which became rampant during the
administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, the frequency of
attacks and level of destruction has reduced due to interventions by the Tinubu
government.
“The current level of insecurity in the North-Central is
less than what was obtainable during previous administrations. Before now, it
was difficult for our people, who are mostly farmers, to go to their farms
because of insecurity. But now, due to the leadership provided by Mr President
who has given marching orders to the Armed Forces and other security agencies,
the people can now go to farm to cultivate and harvest their crops.
“The deployment of high-tech combat enablers and strategic
military operations have contributed to
successes recorded in neutralizing bandits, terrorists and
criminal networks, coupled with the revitalization of local economies, in the
region.
“Operation Whirl Stroke of the Nigerian Army, which has been
revitalized under the Tinubu administration, has helped in addressing the
complex web of criminal activities that have plagued the North-Central,
particularly in Benue and Nasarawa states. Operation Safe Haven, recently
renamed Operation Enduring Peace, is helping to ensure stability and
sustainable security in Plateau and neighbouring states.
“It is necessary to state that the security situation in the
country did not degenerate under the Tinubu administration but what is not in
doubt is that Mr President has taken the challenge head on and has made
considerable progress in addressing the problem,” parts of the statement
released to journalists in Abuja by Zazzaga, a member of the APC campaign
council in the 2023 election, read.
The APC Forum pointed to Tinubu’s visit to Benue after
recent attacks by suspected herdsmen in Yelwata as a sign of his commitment to
the security and well-being of Nigerians, and especially the people of the
North-Central.
The Forum further accused El-Rufai of reeling out lies
during his interview on Channels Television, pointing to a statement by
National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, which noted that the claims made
by the ex-Kaduna governor were contrary to verifiable facts.
“It is instructive that the Office of the National Security
Adviser, ONSA, had already punctured the claims made by El-Rufai, especially
his allegation that the ONSA coordinates a policy of payments and offers
incentives to bandits. The claim has been found to be baseless, as there is no
record of the Tinubu administration engaging in payments to bandits and
criminals.
“El-Rufai’s claim that insecurity has increased in parts of
the North-Central is equally false. We are aware that the claim is part of the
campaign of propaganda and lies which he has embarked on since missing out from
President Bola Tinubu’s administration. We advise Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to
leave the North-Central out of his lies. The North-Central is with Mr President
and El-Rufai is engaged in a futile mission if he thinks he can come between
the President and the people of the region,” the statement added.
Further faulting El-Rufai’s claims on Channels Television,
the North-Central APC Forum said the former minister contributed to the high
level of insecurity in the North due to what it described as “divisive”
policies he implemented as governor of Kaduna State.
The Forum wondered why El-Rufai, who reportedly admitted
making payments to bandits during his time as governor, could have the audacity
to accuse the Tinubu-led Federal Government of empowering non-state actors.
Noting that El-Rufai does not have the moral standing to
counsel the Federal Government on insecurity, the Forum pointed to the
oppression of the people of Southern Kaduna and other indigenous minorities
during his administration in Kaduna State.
“This is a man who, as governor, encouraged the insecurity
that now ravages the entire North-West by placing terrorists and bandits on
salary. It is not surprising that the level of insecurity in Kaduna State has
reduced since his predecessor, Governor Uba Sani, cut ties with him and
abandoned his divisive, oppressive policies. The people of Southern Kaduna and
other minorities suffered genocide during his administration. El-Rufai cannot
shake off his reputation as an enabler of insecurity. He is certainly not the
character that Nigerians should listen to on this subject,” the statement
added.
The North-Central APC Forum restated its endorsement of
Tinubu for re-election in 2027. The group equally restated the pledge to
deliver six million votes for the President in the region in the next election.
Noting that all organs of the APC have already endorsed
Tinubu for re-election, the Forum declared that no member of the party should
contest the presidential primary election with Tinubu.
The Forum declared that it will protest against any APC
member who decides to purchase forms for the primary election to challenge
Tinubu in 2027.
The statement added, “The party has already endorsed Mr
President. All the zones have backed him for re-election. So why would any
party member come out to contest against him in the primary election? Such an
action would amount to disloyalty and as loyal supporters of Mr President, we
will not allow that. We will protest against any member who decides to contest
the APC primary election against Tinubu. His performance speaks for him, we
expect all party members to come together to work for his re-election. That is
the proper thing to do.”
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