There is no doubt that the recent killings in Plateau State in which several lives were lost, have degenerated into sheer political dogfights between the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The PDP urges the people of Plateau State to exercise their rights as global citizens, work with other public-spirited Nigerians and groups and take President Muhammadu Buhari and his government to the International Criminal Court at the Hague, for acting helpless in the face of continuous mass killings
The parties, while mourning those who lost their lives in the genocide, also took time to hit at each other, with accusations and counter-accusations boiling down to a numbing juxtaposition of death figures in disasters that occurred during the era of PDP and APC, respectively.
The PDP, describing APC’s mourning of the over 100 victims slain by Fulani herdsmen as shedding crocodile tears, on its part, announced a mourning period of seven days for the victims of the killings.
The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that during the seven-day period, flags in its offices would be flown at half-mast in honour of those who lost
their lives.
Beyond declaring a mourning period, the opposition party also wanted residents of Plateau to demand justice, defend their rights and sue the Federal Government.
“The PDP urges the people of Plateau State to exercise their rights as global citizens, work with other public-spirited Nigerians and groups and take President Muhammadu Buhari and his government to the International Criminal Court at the Hague, for acting helpless in the face of continuous mass killings in our country,” a statement by the party said.
In the incident where scores of deaths were recorded, the suspected herdsmen attacked at least 11 villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau
State.
It was also reported that over 50 houses were set ablaze and that many who survived the attack fled the communities, leading to humanitarian challenges.
Meanwhile, the APC-led government has said killings are not peculiar to its administration.
These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become, and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind. But the PDP would rather dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics
Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, said this in reaction to the seven days of mourning declared by the PDP over the Plateau massacre.
In a statement, Adesina described the PDP’s declaration as “irresponsible politics.”
He said killings had been recorded in the country since the era of the opposition PDP.
But this time round, Adesina said President Buhari “is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.”
The statement read: “The sad and unfortunate killings in Plateau State over the weekend have been turned to opportunity to once again play irresponsible politics, particularly by the Peoples Democratic Party, which says it is declaring seven days of mourning.
“The intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for a while; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to
do so.
“Even a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be used to play crude politics.
“Those who are wont to do so should have change of heart, or lose their very humanity.
“These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become, and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind. But the PDP would rather dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics.
“The comatose and prostrate party is declaring seven days of mourning, during which flags in its offices would be flown at half-mast nationwide.
“But unknown to the party, those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, and may remain so for a long time to come, because Nigerians are politically discerning, and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap
antics.”
Adesina listed series of attacks which took place during the reign of the PDP, noting that the party did not declare a national mourning at the time.
He said: “A quick checklist of some savage and brutal killings in Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national mourning was declared: November 20, 1999, Odi, in Bayelsa State was invaded on the orders of a PDP President. About 2,500 people killed. No national mourning.
“Between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning. In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.
“Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half-mast.
“In February 2004, at least 975 people were killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling PDP. Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with 381 deaths. No mourning.
“In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the word. In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least 1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt.
No mourning.
“Boko Haram killings in PDP years were over 10,000. PDP flags were still fluttering proudly in the sky.”
