ABUJA- Disturbed by the nationwide panic and uncertainty created by the purported resignation of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday identified those clamouring for the formation of Interim government as the sponsors of the controversial story which it described as malicious and treasonable act.
An independent television organization, Channels Television, on Tuesday reported the purported resignation of President Yar’Adua and attributed their source to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a claim that has since been disowned by the national wire service.
Addressing a press conference at the PDP national secretariat, the National Chairman, Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor, said he received the report with utter shock and disappointment, and attributed the story to distractors who are bent on derailing the country’s democracy and whose ultimate intent remains a mystery to the party and the federal government.
“This malicious rumour has once again vindicated our earlier position that a desperate group of power mongers are hell bent on derailing our democratic process.
We join all well meaning Nigerians in condemning this callous and treasonable act.
“We are at a loss as to the motives of the originators of this wicked and unfounded rumour. We wonder why any citizen of this country will attempt to short-circuit democracy in Nigeria.
At a time when Nigeria needs the cooperation of all stake holders in moving the nation forward, we are alarmed at the extent to which some mischief makers are prepared to stake their heads in order to create instability in our system.
Prince Ogbulafor condemned the manner the story was aired without verification and noted that it ran counter to the known antecedents of the media house.
“The unprofessional manner with which the Channels TV handled the purported news item also left much to be desired. It is our fervent believe that a news item of this sensitive nature which has to do with the President and the Security of the nation must have been cross checked as dictated by the principles of journalism before being aired or published.
That the organization acted on the basis of a poorly written release purportedly emanating from NAN betrays the credibility with which the medium has grown to be known for.
“We are particularly saddened by the state of panic and uncertainty that the report created. We call on the law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of this unpatriotic act”.
While declaring that President is in sound health and has never contemplated resigning he emphasised that the Nigerian leader is capable of performing his constitutional functions and appealed to Nigerians to rally behind him.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Mallam Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCFR is capable of discharging his responsibilities within the mandate given to him by Nigerians.
At no time has the idea of his resigning been contemplated. Therefore, Let all those engaging in subversive activities be put on notice that their negative attempts will be resisted by Nigerians.
“We a call on all Nigerians to unite behind Mallam Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the man who undoubtedly has the mandate of the people to lead them to prosperity”.
He berated those he described as disgruntled elements and warned that the party will take necessary actions to checkmate them if they persist in distracting the government.
“We want to restate once again that we are not unaware of the persistent attempts by some disgruntled elements using all means available, including using a section of the media to cause confusion and heat up the polity in order to achieve their ignoble ambitions.
The Peoples Democratic Party will therefore no longer standby and watch our hard earned democratic gains subverted and reversed”.
While pledging the loyalty of the national leadership of the PDP to President Yar’Adua and his Seven-point Agenda, Prince Ogbulafor commended “his visionary step in creating a Ministry for the Niger Delta which will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the people of the region”.
He also appealed to media practitioners to respect their social responsibility role in the society and reminded them that Nigerians rely on them for information that will shape their lives.
“An attempt to mislead them, especially on matters of security importance will
only lead to instability and will therefore be counter productive”, he said.
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