PDP Slams APC Over Reaction To Fresh South African Cash For Arms Deal

SAN FRANCISCO, October 08, (THEWILL) - The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the latter's reaction to the fresh seizure of $5.7m cash- for -arms money by the South African authorities.

Maintaining that the APC was embarking on what it described as international show of shame by its reaction, PDP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said: 'Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the APC wherein it again embarrassed itself on issues regarding to genuine efforts by the Federal Government to tackle the security challenges facing our nation.'

According to the PDP, 'Our response to the APC is that we are solidly behind President Goodluck Jonathan in the steps he is taking to ensure the safety of Nigerians and defend our sovereignty as a nation, especially in the light of their connivance with foreign interests to embarrass the government and people of Nigeria.

'We state categorically that the actions preferred by some foreign nations against our dear country as we seek solution to our security challenges are unacceptable and totally uncalled for, especially given our cordial relationship with them and the roles Nigeria and Nigerians citizens played in assisting them in their internal struggles.

'Given the rush with which the APC attacked the Presidency, it is clear that they are working hand in glove with foreign interests in a concerted effort to tarnish the image of our dear nation, ridicule our government and frustrate genuine efforts towards ending the insecurity challenges we face as a nation.

'Any responsible opposition which has the interest and welfare of the people at heart as the APC claims would concentrate on proffering solution to the problems of the nation instead of seeking political capital at all times. Instead, we have an opposition that has been conniving with foreign interests to destroy the image and unity of their own country as a means to achieve political control.

'The APC is aptly likened to a quarrelsome wife, who daily goes to the market place to discuss her marital problems. We ask, does such a woman seek the unity or disintegration of her home? In the same vein Nigerians wonder if the APC is really interested in the unity and corporate existence of our nation. Are they trying to destroy our country as a means to achieve political control through the back door?'

PDP said the APC must come to terms with the fact that Nigeria as a indivisible nation has come to stay, saying 'They must know that Nigerians are resolute in their determination to live together as one people.'

According to the statement, 'Our final response is that the PDP and indeed Nigerians of good faith are solidly behind President Jonathan and no amount of blackmail or connivance with foreign interests will deter or detract the PDP-led administration from the resolve to find a permanent solution to the security challenges in our country.'