By Olusegun Lawrence The Presidency has reacted to the alarm raised by the All Progressives Congress that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party is planning to use security agencies to intimidate opposition ahead of the 2015 elections, describing it as baseless.
Presidential senior aide on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, also posited that the allegation is part of APC agenda to malign President Goodluck Jonathan.
The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lai Mohammed, had on Wednesday raised the alarm, alleging plans by “the Federal Government to use the DSS and Police to harass and intimidate the opposition with a view to decapitating it ahead of the 2015 elections”.
Okupe, however dismissed this, saying it was another smear attempt against the person of President Jonathan in order to win cheap sympathy ahead of the 2015 general elections.
A statement issued by presidential aide in Abuja reads in part, “We must emphasise here that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Jonathan has high regards for democratic principles and has assured Nigerians and the international community repeatedly on its commitment to deliver free and credible election next year.
“Nothing can be as unfounded as the accusation by the APC which shows clearly that it remains clueless with nothing to offer as the alternative that the party continues to preach to Nigerians. “APC should rather concentrate in selling its manifesto to the electorate.
“While the federal government ensures that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is well equipped to perform it statutory duties, security agencies on their part have the responsibility of carrying out any function within their powers that guarantees the safety of lives and property.
“We find all the allegations by the APC as baseless and challenge its leadership to provide any proof to Nigerians.
“President Jonathan remains resolute in providing quality leadership to the Nigerian State and therefore advices all political parties to focus their 2015 campaigns on issues rather than names calling and attacks on individuals”.
