The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it is shameful that Bello Matawalle, Governor of Zamfara State surrendered to the intimidation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which it described as “a party of political bandits”.
This was contained in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, in reaction to the governor’s defection from the APC to the PDP.
In an interview on Friday, he explained that he decided to join the ruling party because such a move will help bring peace to the state, which is currently bedevilled by insecurity.
Reacting, the PDP said it is atrocious for Governor Matawalle to have used the problem of insecurity as the reason for him to decamp to the APC.
The main opposition party said the “confession” by the governor its belief that the APC is fully responsible for the criminal acts ravaging Zamfara State.
It stated that the defection is an unpardonable act of betrayal by the governor against the PDP and electorate of Zamfara State who gave him their mandate to govern the state.
The statement read: Governor Matawalle, in stating that now that he has finally joined the APC, he will “have the full backing of the Federal Government to fight insecurity”, further exposed that the APC was never committed to fighting insecurity but apparently fueling it for political gains
“The statement by Governor Matawalle further confirms that the APC has been promoting insecurity particularly terrorism and kidnapping for ransom, in various parts of the country as a way to create an emergency situation to cover their atrocities, siphon public funds as well as intimidate and coerce state governors elected on the platform of other political parties to join their fold.
“The PDP recalls how Governor Matawalle had been under pressure by the APC-led Federal Government with the imposition of no flight as well as threats of state of emergency in the state.
“Nigerians now know those behind the violent abductions, kidnapping and other acts of terrorism in the state and other parts of the country as well as why the situation has continued to escalate under the APC.
“It is indeed atrocious and most unpardonable that the APC is using the blood of innocent and helpless Nigerians for its political gains as well as to create a gory merchandise for its leaders and cronies.”
The PDP further alleged that Governor Matawalle “did not defect to the APC because the party has any democratic credential as erroneously claimed by the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, but only surrendered to intimidation and cowardly joined those behind the killings and acts of violence in Nigeria”.
“Of course, the APC as a party of political bandits, does not have any democratic credential to attract well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians.
“Governor Matawalle must, however, note that joining such individuals, who have brought so much anguish and pain to his people, is an unpardonable act of betrayal which will continue to act as an albatross particularly against the backdrop of his own vows,” the statement added.
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