PDP cautions APC against sponsoring protests against NASS members

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and what it said is the ruling party’s vested interests in government circles on the dangers of sponsoring protests against the members of the National Assembly.

It said in a statement issued by in Abuja by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary, that such was capable of destroying the bedrock of our democracy, pitching Nigerians against one another and driving our nation into anarchy.

According to the main opposition party, Nigerians were shocked over revelations in which cabinet ministers and appointees of the President were alleged to have paid the protesters with a view to using them to embarrass the National Assembly on Tuesday.

It added: “Nigerians will recall how, in April this year, hoodlums gained access into the National Assembly, invaded the hallowed chambers of the Senate and made away with the mace, while threatening our lawmakers and disrupting proceedings in the parliament.

“Members of the National Assembly are direct representatives of the people and the failure of the Federal Government to recall Senator Dino Melaye, despite the huge resources invested, speaks volume of the real position of Nigerians on the ongoing stand-off between the executive and the legislature.”

The PDP, therefore, cautioned the APC and “its interests in the Federal executive to end their plots against the National Assembly and direct such energies to providing good governance, which has eluded the nation in the last three years.”

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Meanwhile, the party has congratulated the management and staff of the Guardian Newspapers as it marks its 35 years anniversary, as one of the major flagships of journalism in Nigeria.

The PDP particularly commended the Guardian Newspapers for upholding its motto, “conscience nurtured by truth”, a watchword, which has remained eminently manifest in its strong editorial policy and the credibility of reportage in all its titles.

It said: “Over the years, the Guardian newspaper, as one of the pioneer media houses in Nigeria has remained committed to developmental and investigative journalism, positive opinion moulding and the entrenchment of democracy and good governance in our country.”

The PDP recalled the pivotal roles played by the Guardian and other media houses, during the military era, leading to the return of democracy and for which it was shut down for 18 months and its editors jailed under obnoxious military decree 4 of 1984.

While it rejoiced with the Guardian “as it attains this milestone,” the PDP also commended all spheres of the Nigerian media, as the fourth estate of the realm, for their resilience and commitment towards national unity, development, stability and protection of democratic tenets, particularly at this trying time.