Wednesday, 27 April 2011 02:53 Stanley Nkwocha, Abuja and Abu Nmodu, Minna
• ‘We won’t sanction him, others’
Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has said that the alleged anti party activities have not been formally made known to him by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also said that the low turnout of voters recorded in the state was due to post-election violence. Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), also described the post-election violence as “idiotic” and not capable of solving any problem in the country but rather aggravate the country’s problems.
IBB and Abdulsami said this when they cast their votes at the Hill Top polling station in Minna, Niger State. The duo spoke when journalists sought their views on their views on the post-election violence.
IBB, who was asked to comment on the alleged anti-party activities charge levelled against him by PDP said, “I have no reaction, no, I read it in a newspaper and I don’t think I should believe that, because most of those things you write are not believable”.
On the speculation that he brokered the failed alliance between the CPC and the ACN he said “Did you read the press statement by Kassim Afegbua that answered it all”.
Speaking on the violence, Babangida said “We must be worried over the spate of violence, the government I am sure will do the best it can to bring about peace and stability in the country.”
The former military president said that the fear of the post-election violence should not have deterred voters from voting.
He added, “This is a constitutional responsibility so I think I will only advise the voters to bear the consequences and come out to vote. There are security agencies; police and the military with the responsibility of maintaining peace and security”.
Meanwhile, the PDP has debunked rumours that its National Working Committee (NWC) is planning to sanction Babangida, Alhaji Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for alleged anti-party activities.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP said that it had become imperative to clear the air so that Nigerians would not be misled, adding that at no time did the NWC at its meeting take any decision to sanction or punish the said persons for anti-party activities.
The statement said, “The concern of the party at the moment is to win election at all levels and therefore will not be distracted from its main focus. In the event that the party finds it necessary to look at the activities of its members before and during the general elections, they are procedures and appropriate channels for taking such actions.
“We wish to therefore call on those working for our leaders and elders in the party to cross check media reports before going to the press.”
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