The Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the allegation by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that distribution of palliatives by the state government was politicized, as scurrilous, sensational and scathing.
The party in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen Folaranmi Aro said the ceaseless attacks by PDP is not unexpected and must stop.
He said, “PDP has watched with dismay and regret the socio-political tactics employed by the opposition to devalue the government of the APC in the state.
“It should be stated for the records that the reason for the appointment of non partisan and reputable figures as members of Committee on Palliatives, headed by His Royal Majesty, the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya was to have a non partisan approach to the relief material distribution.
“Interestingly, the committee facilitated a transparent distribution measures which encouraged non government organizations, NGO, to monitor the distribution of the palliatives.
“It is equally worrisome that political actors are playing politics with the situation by painting the Kwara initiatives in different colors. It is in the same light that we view the attempt to discredit the Governor before the public for an honest and sincere action to target the very poor who are the worst hit by the government’s directive to stay at home as part of measures to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus disease.
“Unfortunately, it is PDP that is playing politics with this Covid19 pandemic. History is being made now. How would all the leaders want to be remembered for the roles they have played?
“It would be uncharitable for any patriotic leader in Kwara state to ignore the need for collaboration with the Kwara State Government, KWSG, for the full restoration of this Coronavirus crisis.
“It beats our imagination why the distinguished and prominent politicians could not team up with the Kwara state government to face this common enemy
“It is not enough to state that they had distributed palliatives to their supporters. The fight against this virus which is a global pandemic should not be politicized.
“The political temperature is disappointedly on the upward swing at this period.
“It would therefore be statesmanly for prominent opposition figures to think beyond partisanship too.
“The Covid-19 knows no political party or history. What should bother Kwarans is how to join the Kwara State Government in the fight to flatten the curve and eliminate the state and Nigeria as a whole from the spread map of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
“We want to see all prominent political leaders in the state joining the KWSG in this fight. We pray we are not forced to travel down a painful path because of politics. This is a time for aggressive response. To what extent does the past political leaders present consider the State’s interest above their personal pride. A glance around the state during this challenging period reveals self centered politicians who care little or nothing about the parlous situation or that of the hapless citizenry.”
