The Nasarawa state government warned the state’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against media trials, propaganda, and weeping sentiments against Abdullahi Sule’s government over the weekend.
This comes as the opposition PDP has warned the newly appointed governor’s media aide against inflaming the polity by questioning whether his appointment will address the marginalisation of the Tiv people in Nasarawa state.
Mr. Peter Ahemba, the newly appointed Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sule on Public Affairs, issued a press statement to Journalists in Lafia on Friday, shortly after his appointment was announced in the state.
“The attention of the Nasarawa State Government has been drawn to a series of media trials and propaganda being championed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and its 2023 Governorship candidate, Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu,” according to Peter Ahemba.
“It appears to be to elicit public sentiment and sympathy, as well as to influence the outcome of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.” It is no longer news that the PDP’s state chapter and its governorship candidate have petitioned the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Lafia.
“However, as evidenced by your series of sponsored publications in some sections of the media, we strongly condemned your resort to media trial of a matter that is already before a competent Tribunal.”
“It is concerning that, following the defeat of Hon. David Ombugadu in the governorship election by Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, the opposition PDP has thrown caution to the wind by sponsoring naked protests in Lafia’s streets.”
“His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule remains committed to carrying out the mandate freely given to him by building on the gains already made by his administration,” the statement said.
In a swift reaction, Hon Francis Orogu, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged the newly appointed SSA to the governor, Peter Ahemba, not to overheat the polity or become carried away by his recent appointment.
“A diabetic patient’s mouth may taste sweet if he forgets he is diabetic, and this may lead to his death.”
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“How can the government, with all of the media at its disposal, accuse an opposition party of using the media for trial, propaganda?” That cannot be correct.
“If Ahemba is unfamiliar with the history of the Kwararafa, let me remind him that when women in the Kwararafa choose to protest naked, it is their highest form of retaliation for injustice done to them.”
“In most cases, when women curse at such times, it affects the people who committed the injustice.” I will not hold it against Governor Sule if he does not understand this, he is not from Kwarafara but not Ahemba.
“The fact that women are being paid to appear naked in protest says a lot.” Anyone who does not feel the pain of these women should consider whether their own mother would come out naked if given money.
“Anyone who is familiar with the Nasarawa story prior to the recently concluded governorship elections does not need to be told that the state operates on injustice and robbery right now.”
“Someone has been robbed of his mandate deep in the consciences of both election handlers and those in power right now.” You cannot alter election results and claim that God gave you that mandate. We will not seek justice from the judiciary if we do not believe in it,” Orogi stated.
The PDP chairman, on the other hand, urged Peter Ahemba not to be carried away by the peanut that would be given to him, but to use his appointment to lobby the government to pay more attention to his people, the Tiv of Nasarawa.
“Your appointment is a ruse by Governor Sule to give the impression that the Tiv people are dear to him, all in the hopes of attracting the attention of the SGF, Senator George Akume.”
“The Tiv people are the most marginalised and attacked in the state.” “Our struggle is to bring succour and justice to those who are suffering and unknown in rural communities that are constantly targeted,” Orogu added.
