-Says CPC is ‘Playing to the Gallery’
-ACN is an ‘Abode of Budding Despots’
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s office reacted to criticisms from
opposition politicians on Sunday, saying that the president will not be forced into to knee-jerk reactions to sensitive situations unfolding in the country.
The reaction was contained in a released signed by presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, calling out the Congress for Progressive Change and its spokesman Rotimi Fashakin for particular excoriation, alongside the spokesman for the Action Congress of Nigeria, Mr. Lai Mohammed.
Mr. Fashakin and the party he speaks for had criticized President Jonathan for not making time to visit the besieged border town of Baga, in Borno State, after the town was practically razed during an April 16 confrontation between government security forces and elements of the murderous Islamic group, Boko Haram.
According to government emergency officials stationed in Borno State, large sections of the local population have taken to residing in the bush for fear of becoming victims of violence. The fallout of the military operation attracted the concern of local and international observers of Nigeria due to allegations of high civilian casualty.
Government officials and non-government monitors in the area have traded charges over the number of casualties, with reports saying up to 185 people may have died in the operation to flush out Boko Haram members from the community.
Satellite images of Baga published by media organizations late last week showed large swathes of the town razed – an action that the security organizations denied it carried out, although some residents have alleged that the government security forces simply resorted to burning down homes to make Boko Haram members reveal themselves.
The violent Islamists were also alleged to have used local residents for human shield during the operation, allegedly resulting in considerable civilian casualties.
But in its response to the criticism of the Congress for Progressive Change on Sunday, Dr. Abati said that the events surrounding the Baga saga called for “maturity and sobriety,” rather than playing to the gallery.
“It is in the character of the CPC and its spokesperson to play to the gallery even when the occasion calls for maturity and sobriety,” Abati said, adding that “the problem with (the Congress of Progressive Change) is that they consider everything “very unacceptable”, and in particular everything relating to President Jonathan. They deserve our sympathy.”
The presidential aide said that Mr. Jonathan has been actively involved in managing the situation in Baga, including ordering a probe of the incidence by military authorities.
“(President Jonathan) ordered an immediate probe by the Military High Command and the intervention of rescue and aid agencies, who have been working with the Borno state government and other agencies of state to ensure that the victims are rehabilitated and assisted with relief materials,” he said.
“President Jonathan has described the incident as most unfortunate and regrettable and he has made it clear that where there is any established case of misconduct, justice will be done. He has also welcomed the plan by the National Human Rights Commission to carry out independent investigations. He continues to receive regular briefings on the incident, even as he has directed the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to come up with an assistance programme for the displaced persons in Baga.
“These steps surely do not give an impression of “insensitivity or aloofness”. Rather, it is the CPC that is being insensitive by struggling to make cheap political gain out of this.”
In similar fashion, the president’s office on the same day responded harshly to remarks credited to Action Congress of Nigeria spokesman, Lai Mohammed, accusing him of indulging in “politics of abuse.”
According to Dr. Abati in a separate press release this time, the Jonathan Administration is a humane one under whose watch democracy has thrived, contrary to what Mr. Mohammed and his party are alleging.
“The scope for human freedoms has been further expanded and there is respect for due process and the rule of law. Ordinary Nigerians appreciate the fact that they have a President who is humane, disciplined and focused,” the statement read.
The strongly worded release went further to say that persons like Lai Mohammed have no idea what despotism means, and that opposition party members are enjoying under the current dispensation the very freedoms that they claim are non-existent.
“Does Lai Mohammed know the meaning of the word, despotism, or is he just throwing the word around for onomatopoetic effect? He and his sponsors are in fact beneficiaries of the openness and freedom that this administration promotes.
“The paradox is that those who do not allow freedom and equality in their own party or backyard, those who are well known as self-proclaimed Godfathers and closet despots, are the same ones who are now quick to accuse others of despotism. The ACN should start by removing the log in its eyes. President Jonathan is not a despot. ACN is the real abode of budding despots in Nigeria,” Mr. Abati said on behalf of President Jonathan.