Herdsmen killings: PDP urges Buhari to visit Benue

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WORRIED by the seeming indifference by President Muhammadu Buhari to the recent killings perpetrated by alleged Fulani herdsmen in Benue state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged him to visit the state to show empathy to the plight of the people. The leading opposition party said in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary in Abuja on Sunday that the president needed to personally condole with the people of Benue State and with victims of “the horrific killing of defenceless Nigerians by marauders.” It said: “It is very sad to note that in its insensitivity, the Federal Government did not consider it important to send a delegation to the burial of those massacred in Benue and till date, there has been no Presidential visit of any sort to commiserate with the people of Benue and other states where Nigerians are being slaughtered by bandits under the APC regime.” The PDP said it was worried that while innocent Nigerians were still being slaughtered and families crying out for help, the President was busy receiving APC governors on orchestrated self-serving visit to Aso Rock to endorse his personal ambition for a second tenure; a time when a soothing word and practical action from his Presidency would have helped ease the pains and reassure the people. The statement added: “While we painfully note the failure of the Buhari-led Government to provide adequate security in the endangered areas, despite early warning signs, his failure to visit Benue speaks volumes.

“Indeed, such a disposition is believed to be emboldening the Marauders to continue their killing spree, divide and further plunge the nation into turmoil like the attacks in Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa and other states. “It is imperative for Nigerians to note that no government, in the history of our nation had formulated a divisive body language like this APC-controlled Federal Government and the citizens are painfully bearing the brunt. “We, therefore, urge the Presidency to be more responsive to issues that concern the unity of our dear nation and the security of our people. “Perhaps the President may need to study and emulate the measures used by the PDP to unite our nation for 16 years. “The PDP, as the only truly democratic and people-oriented party, with the interest of the people at heart, will continue to stand with Nigerians at these trying times as we match to salvage our nation from the clutches of this anti-people, insensitive and inept APC Government.”