By Chibuike Nwabuko
The Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party, (LP) Dr Yunusa Tanko has described the claim by Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that Peter Obi ordered his detention in Awka in 2013 as a tissue of lies.
In a statement titled, “setting the records straight on El-Rufai blantant lies on Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi” Tanko gave a vivid account of what transpired on the very day which was the 16th day of November, 2013.
Said he, “actually on the 16th. November, 2013, I was the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), chairman then, I was in charge of all political parties’ leaders. We were at the Finotel Hotel in Awka, Anambra State. Normally all complaints that is from any political Party came to our table, we had a situation room, organized by International Republican Institute, (IRI) Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and my humble self and many others actually stayed in the same hotel.
“I was surprised that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was claiming that he was attacked or more less gagged because when he complained, we really investigated and we conducted a press conference on the matter.
“We maintained that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who at that time was the Deputy National Secretary of All Progressives Congress, (APC) should be allowed to perform his duty according to party’s dictates.
“The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, who was the governor of the state at that time had nothing to do with any security issue that was labeled on him by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
“I have photos to prove how we addressed a press conference at Finotel Hotel, Awka condemning the Directorate of State Security, (DSS) for illegally detaining El-Rufai. He never for once mentioned Peter Obi all through the long process of helping him get out of the unfortunate incident.
“Like I said earlier, communication technology has gone digital, you don’t have to stress much to get your facts.
This same El-Rufai went to court on this same issue, Obi was not mentioned rather it was the DSS and he got a judgment against the service. It was a PDP Government that was at the Centre and Peter Obi was a Governor flying the Flag of All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA).
The court awarded him N2million damages for unlawful detention. Go into the internet and you will see the full details. Precisely it was published in Premium times and Sahara Reporters of September 24th, 2014.
“The facts are all there for all discerning Nigerians to see that all he has been saying are tissues of lies deliberately designed to rubbish our presidential candidate.
This is targeted to continue to lie to our people in the north to create unnecessary division for personal interest . This kind of division has kept our country down for too long but they are now awakening to fight for their right. We urge them not to be deceived any more.
“Nigerians should ignore his rantings and treat such stories with disdain because they are from the pit of hell orchestrated by the APC Government that’s already drowning.
It’s not usually in the labour party’s character to discuss personality, we and indeed our candidate dwell on issues and my appeal to you as the fourth estate of the realm is to stand up and defend this democracy and save our dear nation from gullible elites. What we can assure is that labour party by the grace of God if we win, will rebuild this country in such a way that only the upright people and not the crooks will direct the affairs of our nation going forward.
