Gombe Attack: APC’s Allegation Baseless And Stupid – Presidency

The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday refuted allegations by the All Progressives Congress that it was behind Saturday’s attack in Gombe State just as the Presidency too, described the allegation as false, baseless and stupid.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who made the Presidency’s position known yesterday, said contrary to the APC’s claims, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP were ready for elections.

Therefore, there was no reason for Jonathan and his party to be fomenting trouble in any part of the country.

Abati said: “All the allegations by Lai Muhammed are false, baseless and stupid. President Jonathan is committed to ensuring free, fair and credible elections.

“The PDP is ready for the elections and it is worth pointing out that the poll shift that has been announced by INEC benefits the APC more because the areas where there are security challenges are the strongholds of the APC”.

In its reaction, the PDP through its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, said out of its desperation for power, the opposition party has lost focus.

According to Jalo, it was most uncharitable to accuse the Jonathan-led PDP administration, which was doing all within its power to crush the insurgency, of complicity in the sect’s activities.

Jalo said, “While we are not surprised about the APC’s latest unguarded and baseless allegations, it is completely unjust to accuse our dear President who has been having sleepless nights searching for a permanent solution to this insurgency of being behind the threats.

“I am from Gombe, the national chairman of our great party is from Bauchi, several other high ranking members of our party are also from the North-East. Is the APC saying that the PDP has no followers in these states?”

The spokesman stressed that the PDP, more than anybody else, was eager to get the elections over with, adding that a party which was not interested in an election, will not spend time and resources campaigning.