The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State on Thursday condoled with the Kaduna State Government and families of 130 victims killed by suspected militia men in Kajuru Local Government Area, of the state.
Mr Felix Hyat, State Chairman of the PDP, extended the message of condolences during a press conference in Kaduna.
Hyat said however, that security agents must provide convincing explanation to the families and people of the state over the carnage.
“For 130 people to be killed within a week calls for convincing explanation from the security agencies.
“The lives of the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large have become such a common commodity to be treated with levity.
“This is very unfortunate and a complete contradiction to the provision of our Constitution built on the foundation of security of life and property.
“Our heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased and the public in general,”Hyat said.
Hyat also gave a run down of what he described as negative events in the past few weeks in state.
He said: “For the past two weeks, Kaduna State has been in the forefront in news, more on the negative side.
“It started with political clamp down on members of the main opposition party, the PDP.
” The political atmosphere became charged despite the signing of the Peace MOU on Feb. 5, which was breached by both the APC Government in power and the security agencies.
“Next was the breaking news from the State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, on Feb. 15, on killing of 66 Fulani people in Kajuru LGA.
“This news came on the eve of the Presidential/National Assembly Elections.
“This information from the Governor was treated with suspicion, because of the timing and the fact that the killings were said to have taken place between Feb. 10 and 11”.
According to him, the PDP had called for calm and restraint.
“But let it be known that the PDP feels the pains of even one dead person, not to talk of such high figures that keep escalating. In every Local Government security operatives are very visible.
“Now that Governor El-Rufai has vowed not to allow threat and acts of insecurity threaten the Feb. 23, general elections in the State, we in the PDP stand solidly behind him and will help him resist any attempt from anybody and anywhere to postpone these elections,” Hyat said.
He called on the governor to sincerely pursue this noble intention and ensure the sanctity of this date by providing adequate security for hitch free polls.
“We will keep monitoring developments and resist any action that will not be in the interest of the people of Kaduna State.
“Our actions at all times will be guided by the laws of our land.
“We stand for free and fair contest and condemn in very strong terms any attempt to rob our respected Party in any act(s) of illegality, “he said.
On INEC readiness for the Feb. 23 polls, Hyat confirmed INEC has distributed election materials to all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
He, however, alleged that out of the lots, only three local government areas have so far received complete materials.
“We have notified the electoral body officially. We will keep the public informed as INEC responds to our observations.
“We assure INEC of our support and call for complete openness in their activities to achieve a smooth and successful elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Kaugama Abdullahi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the commission had provided complete election materials to all 23 LGAs as at Thursday evening.
(NAN)