The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the National Assembly
for its swift response to the partys appeal to open an independent,
full-scale legislative investigation into the circumstances surrounding
the unfortunate abduction of 110 school girls in Dapchi, Yobe state.
The party said the action of the House of Representatives in setting up an
adhoc committee to investigate the abduction underscores the legislators
consensus for a non-aligned inquest, particularly against the backdrop of
speculations of conspiracy theory, conflicting reports and disagreement
among government officials and agencies on the matter.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on
Thursday, said the party took cognizance of the fact that the House of
Representatives, in approving the motion by Rep. Goni Lawan from Yobe
state, shared the apprehensions that there could have been a deliberate
design to hide the facts of the matter, which underpins the demand by
Nigerians to know the truth.
The party urged the House of Representatives, in conducting the probe,
not to lose sight of the submission from Rep. Lawan, which collaborates
the claims by Yobe state Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, that the abduction was
preceded by the withdrawal of troops guiding the area, insisting that a
thorough inquest must be made to unravel who ordered the withdrawal and
for what purpose.
The House of Representatives panel should also take critical note of
the submission by Rep. Lawan, that no proactive measures have been put
in place to provide security to the people despite cases of violent
attacks in the area.
Nigerians are eagerly looking up to the National Assembly for credible
findings, particularly following the raging disagreements and blame game
among security agencies involved in the provision of security in the area.
This is more so as Nigerians have lost faith in the investigative
committee set up by the APC-led Federal Government on this matter as
reports from various other committees set by this administration on
important national issues have never been implemented by the government.
Nigerians can recall such committees, including Presidential committee on
Asset Recovery, Committee to Audit Defence Equipment Procurement,
Presidential Investigative Committee on Osborne Towers, 17-Man Committee
on Fact Finding Mission to Rescue Nigerians trapped in Libya, the
Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiatives and the committee set up
to oversee the rebuilding communities affected by herdsmen/farmers
conflict among many others.
We believe more in the House of Representatives as the reports of the
various committees set up by this government have their reports gathering
dusts on the shelves.
It is on this note that the PDP strongly urge our federal lawmakers,
acting upon the powers conferred on them by the 1999 Constitution (as
amended), to summon and investigate relevant security agencies, cabinet
ministers and all other officials whose assignments dwelt on the
abduction.
We also charge the House to unravel the source of the misleading rescue
report which frustrated immediate actions that would have led to the
actual rescue of our girls.
Finally, the PDP will continue to monitor and take stock of developments
in this matter even as we continue to call on security agencies to work
harder in the all important task to rescue our daughters as well as end
the bloodletting that have become an everyday occurrence in our dear
country.