May 25 2012
Ignore Oritsejafor, PDP urges Chistians
By Chris Ochayi
From left: Co-Chairman, Nigeria Inter-religious Council (Nirec), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; National Co-ordinator/executive Secretary, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, and Co-Chairman, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, at a meeting of NIREC with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. NAN Photo
According to PDP, rather than tongue lash the PDP and its leadership, the party must not only be hailed, but should be emulated by other political parties and organizations whose activities connect directly or indirectly to the unity of the nation.In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh Friday in Abuja, the party noted that the CAN President got what it termed the harmless statement of the party’s National Chairman wrong.
It would be recalled that when the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur received a delegation of Gombe state PDP led by the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to the Wadata Plaza last week, had said that the Boko Haram activities that have led to loss of lives and property destroyed was a reaction to injustice.
According to Tukur, Boko Haram was another name for injustice by those people who may have been deprived, just as he called on Governors of the North East to create employment for the youths in the area as a way of reducing the level of insecurity in the zone, adding that the youths will continue to agitate for one thing or the other, once they are hungry.
He stated that youth restiveness were primarily hunger-induced, just as he urged the governors to find a lasting solution to this major problem.
While reacting to Tukur’s statement Thursday, CAN president, Oritsejafor described the PDP National Chairman as spokesperson of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
Metuh’s statement read in part, ‘’The Party’s membership of millions of Nigerians who are Muslims and who are also Christians, Dr. Tukur is a father who can ill ford to give in to discrimination of any form.
“There is abundant evidence that the issue of religious divisiveness in the manner the CAN President has interpreted our National Chairman, is non-existent in our great Party.
In both the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC), the PDP has amply illustrated that Christians and Muslims can work together for the greatness of Nigeria. We therefore expect that we not only be commended but emulated by other political Parties and organizations whose activities connect directly or indirectly to the unity of the nation.”
“We therefore urge Christians to disregard any misinterpretation of the statement of our National Chairman and continue to live in peace with their Muslim brothers.”
‘’The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as a contextual misinterpretation of relevant facts, the remark by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on the harmless statement by the PDP National chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur on Boko Haram and peace in Northern Nigeria.
‘’Dr. Tukur is a foremost Nigerian who in words and actions has shown himself a true patriot that cannot be conceived in the mould of ethnic or religious bigotry.
“Over the decades, he has built bridges of friendship across religions and regions of Nigeria, etching his name as an African statesman. It is on record also, that since he was elected the National Chairman of our great Party, his message has been consistent on the imperative of unity, equity and justice for every Nigerian.
“He has never hidden his resolve and determination to use the historic opportunity offered by his leadership of the nation’s ruling Party to champion the ideals of the founding fathers of Nigeria that irrespective of our tongue , tribe and creed, Nigerians are one and that our diversity is our greatest strength.
“He has spared no effort in deploring the incidence of violence in the Northern part of the country. He has stated in no uncertain terms that no reason can justify terror attacks. But he has also charged that those involved in the violence and their sponsors are our brothers, and there is therefore a need for our collective efforts”.
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Jun 12, 2012 @ 19:11:39
I enjoy analysis; slpmiy because it makes it possible for you to compare figures with figures. A simple look at the price of petroleum per litre that somebody with the name, Yinka, did put in place reveals clearly that, there have been more than few occasions when price per litre has more than doubled. So why should this lead to this unnecessary strike that could have been prevented or averted.For instance, in 1978, the price per litre was 15k and rose to 20k, in 1982.. That’s 25% increase. Then 1n 1986 it got to nearly 40k and that is about, 100% increase-then, in the year 1991 it went further to 70k and that is about 75% increase. Then afterward, the year 1992 saw a rise in cost per litre from 70k to N3.25 k, and that’s more than 300% increase.Also, from N3.25k, in 1992, it rose further to N11.00 per litre and that also is approximately, 300% increase. Then it went further and got to N65, in 2011 and that represents about, 500% increase per litre. And recently, to N141.00, per litre, from. i.e. N65, and that is about, 120% increase.What is this about, with reference, to the increases that has been on cost of fuel per litre? It is an indication that, what the Fed Government has put in place is not out of order. And when you consider that it has been mentioned clearly that, what accrues from the removal of subsidy would be used partly for roads, infrastructures and some other things. Then really there is nothing that is wrong with that.If I should say this, and that is that, were there any of this type of strikes or protests in those years when the cost per litre rose slightly, doubled or tripled? Also won’t it have been thoughtful and also an appropriate thing for the Trade Union, to have, really sit down and dialogue, analyse and look at the advantages and disadvantages of such a tough and thoughtful decision prior to this protest?Also, can’t we realize that, this protest is being or perhaps has been hijacked by opposition parties that has not really and fully look at these things?I think Louis made some worthwhile points, but we should not worry about who gets what oil field, but slpmiy to highlight that it is unwise for the Fed Gov, to continue with its idea of borrowing, as it were, funds upon funds to pay for subsidy. I’m not tutored or schooled, in this area of petroleum,- I think that perhaps I should- however, I would think that anybody can own a refinery if he knows how to play his card properly,in so far as it is not detriment to the interest of Nigeria.So, kudos to all that did put in place comments here and there. I appeal to the Trade Union, to look at these things, and slpmiy stop their protest, in national interest This fuel subsidy removal, would ensure that purchasers of fuel would be able , to set their priorities appropriately, vis a vis what they use it for.. Hence, there is the likelyhood of the forces of demand and supply to automatically bring the cost of fuel to about N80.00, or N90.00, per litre,. And that means with constant supply of electricity, sooner or later, the, cost of fuel would eventually fall,, to say between .i.e N50.00 to N65.00, respectively. And that is something, would really help this present Nigerian situation and also encourages, continual and healthy competition in that aspect of industry.My prayer is that the meeting that has been put in place would result in something, that would put an end to this so unnecessary protest. It is well