A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and former Chairman of
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Kawo Baraje has called a former
Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande a liar.
Baraje said Akande and his co-travelers are spreading lies to President
Buhari and creating disunity within the APC.
He challenged the former APC chairman to show proof to all the
unsubstantiated information they have dished out to the President and
other party chietains.
According to him, “I do not know where Chief Akande and his cohorts are
getting this unsubstantiated information they are circulating. We
challenge them to provide proof and let Nigerians make their judgment.
“Akande and co believe that they have exclusive right to determine who
occupies what position in today’s Nigeria and whoever tries to challenge
their position must be subjected to savage attack in the media. That
tactic is definitely undemocratic.
“I have known Chief Akande to be an honest man. I got the shock of my life
when he alleged that I had a meeting in my house with ‘some old and new
PDP members with a view to hijacking the National Assembly’ through the
aspiration of Dr. Bukola Saraki as the Senate President.
“I have been quiet as a leader so as to not to be seen as taking sides
because of my closeness to Dr. Saraki, else people will read meaning into
it.
“Akande has been playing a role which I admire. He will recall that he
met some actors, with a Governor from the NorthWest and a leader of the
party from the SouthWest, where the leader from the SouthWest was
cautioned to be reasonable in this crisis.”
He said the forum also admonished the Southwest leader to allow justice,
fair play and equity to take place.
Baraje said, “He (Akande) supported the view of the governor from the
North-west that the particular leader from the South-west should be
admonished for his action. It is therefore surprising that Akande is now
being economical with the truth and painting a picture that exists only in
his imagination.
“My worry has been that President Buhari is being fed with lies and
stories that are dangerous to the polity. My fears have now been confirmed
with Akande’s statement.
“It is my prayer that the President should strengthen his information
gathering network, so as to have a clear and true picture of what is
happening.
“I am also appealing to Chief Akande and his cohorts to demonstrate more
commitment to our party by exposing the President to the truth that would
assist him in taking good decisions. I hope that this appeal will be
heeded.
“I am still keeping quiet with the hope that our efforts in reconciliation
will come to a fruitful end.
“I am happy to state that the former Governor of Kwara State enjoys the
support of the critical constituencies that he needs to be President of
the Senate, particularly that of the good people of Nigeria.”
Baraje said the story by Akande that a purported meeting took place in his
house after the general elections where a so-called new PDP group plotted
“with a view to hijacking the National Assembly, with an ultimate aim of
resuscitating the PDP as their future political platform” was a mere
fabrication.