The leading opposition party said in a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary in Abuja, that after a thorough analysis of the circumstances and events preceding the attack, there were crucial pointers that the APC and the Kogi state government have very serious questions to answer.
The party said it was pertinent to note that the attack was preceded by revelations of importation of military gadgets by persons allegedly linked to the APC and the Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello.
The party said that APC and Kogi state government must respond to the question troubling the mind of Nigerians on the perceived clandestine involvement in activities that must have encouraged or aided those behind the attack.
The statement added: “From every indication, there is no how one can exonerate the APC and its administration at the federal and Kogi state levels from this evil against the people.
“We invite Nigerians and the international community to note that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration did not take any definite steps to ensure adequate security in the ravaged communities despite series of alarms of security threats, the latest being the exposed illegal smuggling of military gadgets into the state.
“In spite the allegations by the people of Kogi state that the military equipment was being delivered to suspected marauders, the Buhari-led Federal Government did not take decisive steps to arrest and investigate those fingered in the illegal trafficking, particularly the already indicted aides of Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello.
“This raises questions of conspiracy against the people by the APC government both at the federal and Kogi state levels.
“The questions are; why did the Federal Government fail to deploy adequate security to the communities in the face of obvious threats? Why has the Buhari Presidency refused to take any firm step to investigate the illegal importation of military equipment into Kogi state, even when such gives a clue as to how marauders gain access to weapons?
“Furthermore, why did the APC, as a ruling party, fail to condemn the illegal importation of security gadgets or even caution its government in Kogi state, if it is not also involved in the illicit act that is now being linked to this massacre?
“Now that the deed has been done, all we get are apathetic statements and crocodile tears from the Federal and Kogi state government while those behind the act are still walking free and probably targeting their next victims.”
The statement noted that the PDP resolutely condemned the obvious betrayal of the people by the APC-controlled government, saying: “We insist that life is sacred and must not be used as a pawn by any person to achieve any aim under any guise whatsoever.”
While the party commiserated with the victims of the attack, it insisted that the Presidency and the Kogi State Government must be put to task on these killings. The truth must be exposed.
Meanwhile, PDP National Youth Vanguard has demanded an investigation into what it sees as interferences in the trail of the former spokesman of the party, Chief Olisah Metuh.
In a statement by Amb. Ibrahim Bala Aboki, its National Coordinator, in Abuja on Saturday, the group said it had continued to monitor the “wicked plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency in their desperation to elevate the media trial in camouflaging their obvious interest” in the on-going trial of Metuh.
The group cited a recent statement by the APC UK Chapter, wherein it alleged that Chief Metuh was playing ‘Nollywood drama’ in court by claiming to be seriously ill.
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The group said it was shocked that the same persons, who are well aware that Metuh had pleaded to the court that EFCC be allowed to independently examine his state of health and report to the court, could make such mischievous claim.
The statement added: “The only deduction here is the apparent quickness of the APC to push their desire to discredit and mock a man who is only obeying the orders and rulings of a court.
“The question here for members of APC UK is whether the treatment of Chief Olisa Metuh, in his trial, can be obtained in their country of residence.
“For instance does it take two months in the UK for a court to give a ruling on an application by an accused person to be allowed to go for medical treatment, especially when accompanied by an affidavit of urgency?
“Is it obtainable in the UK that a court can give an order compelling a sick person in an intensive care unit of a recognized hospital to be brought to court in any condition whatsoever?
“It is also obtainable in the UK that a court can give an order barring any medical doctor or hospital in the country from issuing a medical report to a defendant in admission in their facility?
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“Is it proper that an accused, who has spinal chord injuries, should be refused an application to get quick medical relief after spending several hours in court under excruciating pain?
“Furthermore, we want to ask the APC UK, whether in the country of their residence, an accused person, who has been ordered not to tender any medical report from any doctor or hospital in the country, can still be challenged for not bringing evidence of his ill health to the court?”
It called on the leadership of the judiciary to conduct a full investigation into the perceived
interferences and alleged interests of the Presidency and the APC.
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