THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has chided those criticising President Muhammadu Buhari for attending last Saturday’s wedding of Idris Ajimobi and Fatimah Ganduje.
Buhari, alongside other dignitaries like the National leader of the APC, Chief Bola Tinubu; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; many state governors, had converged on Kano for the wedding of the son of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Idris and daughter of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Fatimah.
Some Nigerians, to include General Overseer, Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, had termed the visit incomprehensible and ill-timed especially with 110 Dapchi schoolgirls still in captivity.
Reacting to the criticisms, the party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, argued that Buhari’s presence at the event was not tantamount to belittling the challenging security situation of the country, especially the recent abduction of Dapchi school girls.
Adding that the Buhari led government was not unmindful of intermittent Boko Haram attacks and herdsmen/farmers clashes, the party said such criticisms of Buhari’s presence in Kano were done in bad faith.
The statement further read, “Without any fear of contradictions, a new chapter was opened in the history book of the nation on Saturday when another solid foundation was laid for the unity, oneness and togetherness of the Nigerian people.
“At a time that fear of disintegration heightened as a result of the unpatriotic activities of some disgruntled elements, a marriage of this nature was a necessity to rescue the situation and ensure that Nigeria remains an indivisible entity.
“Rather than cut the nose to spite the face, critics of President Buhari should appreciate him for being passionate and affectionate to the cause of nationhood. This was a leader who had decimated the ranks of the Boko Haram insurgents as against what was obtained before May 2015. But for him, terrorists would have overrun Nigeria and most people within and outside the country can attest to this fact.
“Meanwhile, hope keeps rising for the return of the schoolgirls recently abducted in Dapchi, Yobe State as well as their remaining counterparts from Chibok girls who were kidnapped in 2014 on account of different results-oriented measures already put in place by the federal government. All we need do as a people is to intensify prayers for the safe returns of these innocent girls as well as other captives in the hands of terrorists anywhere in the world.
“At this juncture, it is imperative to make a passionate appeal to unscrupulous politicians who are found of politicizing every issue to desist from such act. It should be noted that a President of any nation is for all the people of such country regardless of their mood or current situation. While a President shows empathy for the depressed, nothing should stop him from identifying with those with the genuine cause of celebration at the same time.
“By and large, we use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (The Alaafin of Oyo), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido (The Emir of Kano) and other eminent personalities who graced the occasion. It is our sincere prayer that God will bless the new couple and make their Union a fruitful one.”
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