‎Stop Fanning Flames of Violence, APC Tells Atiku

‎Stop Fanning Flames of Violence, APC Tells Atiku

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

‎The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against using inflammatory rhetoric that could incite unrest in the country, warning that such conduct is unbecoming of a statesman.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC accused Atiku of attempting to provoke an uprising with his recent comments on hunger, insecurity, and Nigeria’s economic situation.

‎“Atiku’s statement is nothing short of a tacit instigation of a revolution in Nigeria. His words are a false alarm about hunger and insecurity, dismissive of the transformative reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and a reckless comparison of Nigeria’s situation to violent revolutions in France, Russia, and the Arab Spring,” Morka said.

The party described the remarks by the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “reckless, irresponsible, unpatriotic and degrading to his status as former Vice President.”

‎According to the APC, Atiku lacks the credibility to lecture the government on tackling hunger, poverty and insecurity, having failed to address these challenges when he served as Vice President.

‎“As a two-term Vice President, Atiku and his PDP had the opportunity, backed by humongous oil revenues, to eradicate hunger, poverty and insecurity. They failed to do so. Instead, they democratized hunger and poverty, plundered and looted our treasury, and enthroned corruption and profligacy as state policy,” the statement read.

The ruling party also cited the controversial $16 billion electricity project under Atiku’s watch, calling it “a stark reminder of his record of incompetent and failed leadership.”

“Atiku’s confession to the looting of $16 billion meant to provide electricity to Nigerians is proof of his cluelessness then, and his delusion now that he claims to know what it takes to fix our economy,” Morka added.

The APC stressed that Atiku’s comments were out of touch with Nigeria’s current economic trajectory, noting recent reports of declining inflation and positive indicators linked to the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope reforms.

“That Atiku’s disturbing statement was made on a day when all news platforms reported consistent lowering of inflation numbers, and at a time when all vital economic indicators are pointing in a positive direction, shows clearly that he is out of touch with reality,” the statement said.

While recognizing the opposition’s democratic right to critique policies, the APC warned that instigating unrest crosses a dangerous line.

‎“Atiku must know that instigating anarchy is not legitimate or justifiable opposition politics. It is wrong, irresponsible, unpatriotic and unacceptable. Violence is never a desirable or acceptable mode of democratic engagement. He should know better and refrain from the use of inflammatory language capable of stoking violence and undermining the peace and safety of Nigerians,” Morka cautioned.

The party urged Nigerians to ignore what it described as Atiku’s self-serving rhetoric.

‎“Atiku hardly resides in Nigeria and will not be available to partake in the destruction and mayhem that the revolution he is instigating will bring. Nigerians must guard their God-given liberties and not allow them to be sacrificed at the altar of his desperate ambition,” APC warned.

Reiterating its confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership, the APC called on citizens to stand firm behind the administration.

‎“We urge Nigerians to remain steadfast in support of President Tinubu’s administration as it continues in its unyielding efforts to build a nation of our collective dream,” the statement concluded.