PDP says attack on Jonathan in Katsina shows APC wants power ‘by violence’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Tuesday’s attack on the convoy President Goodluck Jonathan by thugs suspected to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Wednesday through its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, the party alleged the attack was “a clear indication that the APC was not ready to dial back on its rabid desire to attain power through violence despite signing a peace pact a week ago in Abuja”, adding that it would “no longer tolerate such acts of violence on any of its members”.

“This brazen attack on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our presidential candidate clearly shows that the APC was never committed to the spirit and letters of the Abuja peace accord which they signed in the presence of prominent Nigerians and international personalities,” it said.

“It is unfortunate that while the PDP and other parties are busy ensuring that their members and supporters remain committed to a peaceful electioneering, the APC has been hatching plots to unleash violence on our candidates and members.

“We invite Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and all lovers of democracy to rise in condemnation of this dangerous phenomenon. These early developments clearly demonstrate that the comments and declarations by the leaders of the APC that Nigeria would be thrown into chaos and bloodshed should it lose the February general elections were real.

“We commend the maturity and the ever peaceful disposition of President Jonathan and the leaders of the PDP even in the face of this unwarranted attack.”

According to the PDP, the APC which successfully completed its campaigns in the south-south, including Bayelsa, the home state of the president without any incident was turning round to unleash thugs to disrupt the presidential campaign of the ruling party.

“In spite, we wish to assure Nigerians of the iron cast resolve of the PDP to ensure peaceful and credible general elections where the votes of the people shall exclusively determine who emerge as leaders in the general elections,” the party added.