Just in: APC blames PDP, wants activists’ attackers probed

Just in: APC blames PDP, wants activists’ attackers probed

The All Progressives Congress has accused the Peoples Democratic Party of being behind Monday’ s attack on the activists who were protesting against Omoyele Sowore ’ s detention at the National Human Rights Commission , Abuja .
It also condemned the incident, describing it as one of the attempts by the opposition to blackmail the government and the ruling party .
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary , Lanre Issa -Onilu, the APC said it recognised the rights of people groups, including political parties to gather or carry out protests by themselves or through proxies within the ambit of the law.
It , however , vowed to deal with any individual or group that ran afoul of the law under the “pretence of a protest ” or carrying out actions that allegedly threatened national security .
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a clash between members of the Peoples Democratic Party and people believed to be pro -All Progressives Congress exercising their respective rights to protest at the National Human Rights Commission head office in Abuja on Monday.
“This incident stands condemned by our party . We do not subscribe to a situation where such protests become chaotic or different protesting groups turn on one another , causing avoidable injuries .
“Such is clearly unacceptable to our laws and it is against the principled stance of our government . While we recognise the fundamental liberties of citizens to freely express their views through lawful means , we cannot , as a government , allow excesses and irresponsible acts . ”
According to the APC , no group or individual has a right to torment the public or display any act of intolerance to other people ’ s views .
The party alleged that the PDP supporters hid under different names such as civil society groups, human rights activists , and constitutional lawyers , to link the government to the dastard act .
It added , “For the avoidance of doubt , the APC -led administration would continue to uphold civil liberties and expand the democratic space for every citizen of our dear country .

“It is there for us all to see: there has been no incident of harassment , arrest , or intimidation of anyone or group despite the level of attacks , name -calling, personal insults, and even callous statements being directed at the person of President Muhammadu Buhari by the different PDP leaders and its hideous supporters.
“We are witnessing increasing cases of irresponsible and unrestrained verbal attacks on the Nigerian President by the opposition elements with no consequences . Evidently , President Buhari ’ s government has no doubt displayed an avowed commitment to civil liberties and promotion of democracy . ”
The APC stressed the need for the opposition to realise that the 2019 elections had been won and lost .
The party called on the security agencies to investigate the clash to ensure that adequate actions were taken against anyone found to have overstepped his bounds .