CAMPAIGNS: STOP BLAMING PRESIDENT FOR SOME ACTS OF STATE GOVERNORS, APC MEMBERS: NNPP

 

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says Nigerians must learn to apportion blaames appropriately and to stop blaming President Bola Tinubu for any negative actions by some governors and individuals desperate to be noticed.

The party’s statement is coming on the heels of the controversy generated by the alleged prevention of Mr Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress Presidential Candidate from going to meet displaced persons in Benue by thugs alleged to be working for the state government.

This is contained in a statement by the NNPP National Secretary, Mr Oginni Olaposi on Thursday.

Olaposi stated that while it is wrong to stop any Nigerian from freely entering any state, it is also wrong to blame it on the ruling party and the Presidency like some people are doing at the moment.

“If we must get things right in Nigeria, there is need to stop misleading information, especially for younger generation.

“As the 2027 general elections campaign began, most over zealous party members or even governors of some states should learn to exercise restraint in decision taking, thinking they are doing good for their party or candidate.

This is because some of these decisions are done without the directive of the party, its leadership and in the case of Benue, the APC and presidency but the blame trickles down.

“Governor’s should especially in this season, rein in their supporters and also take the blames for their own actions or inactions.

“When some things happen like what took place in Benue, the governor should not delay by allowing Nigerians and the global world to speculate. It pulls the nation’s ranking down.

“It is sad that most Nigerians blame every negative occurrence on the President. This is a narrative that must change. People involved in certain behaviors must be held accountable for it, even if they feel they are doing it on behalf of a leader, who never sent them to do so.”

Olaposi pointed out that the President has been blamed enough for the mistakes of leaders in several parts of the country, which should not be so.

He, however, condemned in totality, the prevention of Obi from entering Benue, noting that as a Nigerian, the presidential candidate is free and should be allowed to campaign or visit any state he chooses to.

“This goes for every presidential candidate. There should not be restrictions.

“The NNPP believes in the rule of Law and fundamental human rights. We also believe that violators of human rights should face the law.

“What happened in Benue as seen in videos online is despicable and should not be allowed to happen again in Nigeria and especially now that campaigns are on.

“All political party candidates should have equal access to the people. Let them decide who to vote for.”

The NNPP national secretary, however, urged President Tinubu and leadership of all political parties to encourage their followers to be law abiding so as to avoid violent clashes in the build up to the 2027 general elections.

“The Benue state government must take responsibility for what the thugs did and should apologize to Nigerians for such action. Nigeria must be great again and the youth should be made conscious of their contribution in nation building.