The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State has described as unfortunate, ridiculous and downright illogical, claims by the State Government that some members of the opposition were planning to incite members of the public to protest against its lockdown order.
The party in a statement issued on Monday by its State Publicity Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, said there was no truth to the accusation by the State Government, noting that such baseless allegation was a clear indication that the government was bereft of ideas and strategies to contain spread of the virus in the State.
“It beats our imagination that the same government that warned people against sharing of fake, unverified news and politicization of the fight against COVID-19, is the one making unfounded claims and playing politics with a life-threatening disease. This is clear indication that the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led administration is bereft of ideas and strategies to tackle spread of the disease.
“As a responsible party, we understand that Coronavirus is our common enemy and does not differentiate between party A and party B. It poses threat to our lives and livelihood. We
will, therefore, never go against any step or effort aimed at curbing the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus that has taken the whole world by a storm.
“For the avoidance of doubt, as a people-centric party, we have embarked on series of advocacy and issued press statements, urging members of the public to adhere strictly to the regulations of the State government including the sit-at-home order and also observe all precautionary measures to curb the spread of the disease.
“Also, as a way of assisting people of the State, especially the less privileged, to observe the stay-at-home order and to cushion the effects of the state-wide lockdown, the leader of our party and immediate President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has through his foundation, distributed relief materials including food items, gloves and hand sanitizers to needy people in different parts of the State. Additionally, the ABS Foundation educated members of the public on the need to follow basic personal hygiene habits and observe other measures to keep safe.
“How then can any reasonable person accuse a party that has done this much of planning to incite members of the public against the government? This claim by the Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration is unfortunate, ridiculous and downright illogical.
“The Kwara PDP notes that this unfounded accusation is an attempt by the State Government to veil its unpreparedness and lack of clear-cut strategies to combat spread of COVID-19. Apparently, Governor Abdulrazaq is haunted by his failure and irresponsibility.
“He, should, however, know that Kwarans are taking stock of Abdulrazaq’s misguided and deceptive actions and utterances and are by now tired of a man, whose stock in trade is so to cry wolf where there is none, pass blames and give unnecessary and silly excuses for his failure.
“When there arises an emergency of this situation we have found ourselves in the country and the world at large, the first priority of any responsive and responsible government is to respond effectively to combat such emergency and protect its people, not playing politics with such situation as it is being done by the government of Abdulrazaq.
“The Kwara PDP, therefore, advises the Kwara State Government to stop playing politics with Coronavirus and urgently fashion out strategic ways to arrest the pandemic. We again note that we will not go against any step to curb spread of the scourge in our dear State.
“We advise Kwarans to continue to comply with the stay-at-home directive and also observe all precautionary measures as stated by the government and other concerned authorities to contain spread of COVID-19.
“The Kwara PDP also uses this medium to appreciate health workers, volunteers, NGOs and security officials who have been working round the clock to contain further spread of the disease and ensure we are safe.”
