• Says misinformation poses grave security threats to Kwara, Nigeria
• Calls Nigerian Police, DSS, and others to warn the party, Yaman on hate speech, incitement
• Set to put UN, news organisations on alert on Kwara elections
Kwara Rebuilders, a pro-democracy group, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state to shun politics of incitement and misinformation, expressing concerns about its consequences on causing unrest and disharmony in the state.
The group said the statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on the community policing constabulary scheme, whose some of its constables protested recently in Kwara over unmet demands for welfare packages, has given the lies to the party’s claim that Kwara State Government owed them 18 months’ salaries.
The PDP, through its spokesman Prince ‘Tunji Moronfoye, had claimed that the government was to pay the constabularies, accusing it of shirking financial responsibilities on securing the state.
However, in his statement, CSP Adejobi explained that the scheme was not paid employment but a community service for interested people in various communities for more effective policing across the country, exonerating the Kwara State Government.
Kwara Rebuilders said it was unbecoming of PDP to misinform and incite the citizens on critical socio-economic issues for political purposes, expressing concerns it could lead to violence, disunity, and loss of lives in the nearest future.
“We are very concerned by the Kwara PDP’s devotion to misinforming and inciting the people with fake news, disinformation, and hate speeches for political purposes. We fear this bad politics may cause violence, unrest and loss of lives and properties before, during or after the 2023 general elections, as seen in Rwanda in 1994,” said a statement released by the Publicity Secretary, Abdullah Abdulganiy, on Friday.
“The statement from the PDP claiming it was aware that the government had owed and should pay up 18 months’ salaries to the constabularies has turned out to be another misinformation. Kwara State Government had no contract and or obligations of paid employments for or with the selfless members of the Constabulary Scheme. The inflammatory tone and dirty choice of words in PDP’s statement were enough to encourage and trigger a violent protest from the men for what has now turned out to be a misunderstanding of partnership. This is without mentioning the hate messages from members of the public who had been misinformed about the whole issue to the government and some of its officials. While the state was lucky to avoid a breakdown of laws and order this time, it may not always be the story. Hence, we call on the PDP to rein in its lust for power for the sake of God and the country.”
Abdullah also recounted other instances Kwara PDP and its members, including the guber candidate Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman Abdullah, allegedly peddled lies and misinformation, calling on the Nigerian Police, Department of State Secruity (DSS) and other security-related bodies and stakeholders across the country to warn the party on statements and activities that are capable of undermining the peace and unity of the country.
“Similarly in March 2022, one of PDP’s former senatorial aspirants Aisha Ahman-Pategi issued a threatening order to the people of Kwara North to disown any of their indigenes that does not vote for her party. This was a reckless, divisive statement that sparked political tensions in the North.
“On another occasion in June, the media also reported the party’s guber candidate Shuaibu Yaman Abdullah claiming that Kwara’s debt profile had risen by 300% since 2019. He has also constantly claimed, the latest on 26th of August 2022, that the state government sought and accessed 35bn loan instead of the 27.2bn confirmed by the Debt Management Office (DMO). These had been fact-checked by credible analysts and economists to be false and misleading.
“In the same June, the spokesman Prince Tunji Morofonye did weave even a worst tale for political propaganda. He accused the state Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) of collecting bribe from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to rig the elections. While Moronfoye has eventually had to retract and apologise for the uncultured remarks in the face of a lawsuit, it has not made the party turn a new leaf in its communications and interface with the public, as shown by its latest statement on community police protest. At least 200,000 residents, especially in rural communities, are estimated victims of PDP’s misinformation through the use of radio and social media platforms on one, two, or all occasions in the last two years. While their rights to free speech, association, and campaigns are recognised, it must be safe and free, protecting the rights and dignity of other citizens. Bearing in mind the grave consequences of fake news, Kwara PDP, Yaman Abdullah and other members are emerging threats to national security.
“With utmost regard to their authority and responsibilities, we are informing and advising the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Secruity (DSS), the traditional and religious rulers and other security stakeholders in the state and country, to warn Kwara PDP and its members not to burn the State of Harmony over inordinate political ambitions,” he concluded.
Kwara Rebuilders also expressed their resolve to write media, peace and human rights watch groups, including the United Nations to focus on the elections in Kwara state, ensuring all-inclusive, free and fair democratic exercise in the coming general elections in the state.
Abdullah Abdulganiy
Publicity Secretary
Kwara Rebuilders
August 26, 2022