The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has described President Goodluck Jonathan’s state visit to Borno and Yobe states as yet another meretricious expedition.
The party said the President’s short visit has left unanswered question in its trail rather than bring succour to the traumatized people.
In statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, the group said it was “obvious that the knee-jack response of the Presidency to the Progressive Governors’ visit did not consider the necessity of a meaningful interface with the traumatized citizenry as an integral part of such a visit!”
The statement further reads: “The unanswered question remains: what has changed between the serial postponements of the President’s visit to these states in the last two years because of the predictable reason of unfavourable security reports and the decision to visit last Thursday? Was it the feat of the Progressive Governors in freely interacting with the people on the streets of Maiduguri (with minimal security presence) that made the President believe a trip to these hot-beds is possible, albeit with the aid of a 3,000-strong Police force ably led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP)?
“The antecedents of the President in courageous crisis management leave much to be desired. It would be recalled that after the bomb blast at the precinct of Eagle square – the venue of the Independence anniversary on 1st October, 2010 – a timorous presidency shifted the
subsequent celebrations to within the barricaded walls of the Aso-villa! The question is: with a supposition of a bomb blast around the Aso-villa, would the President’s official residence be shifted to Otuoke in Bayelsa state?
“It is our belief that Power of the President/Commander-in-Chief comes with the responsibility that transcends mere adornment with the epaulette of a Field Marshall at National ceremonies. The President, like the ancient Centurion, should never be lacking in nobility, honour and valour.
“In the last three years, hundreds of Nigerians in these Northern states had been deceased, with many more suffering different degrees of disabilities. Indeed, countless many of Nigerians in these areas have been caught in the cross fire of the War beyond boundaries that have defined daily living. All these are desirous of succor from the leadership.
“Undoubtedly, the President’s visit would serve no useful purpose and indeed very meretricious if there is no cogent plan for rehabilitating the displaced and bringing normalcy to the socio-economic life of the people. After all, the Constitution is unambiguous in aptly declaring that the purpose of Government shall be the welfare and security of the People!
“Meanwhile, it is left to be seen how the President’s visit, which was mainly about flying above the heads of the Nigerian residents in these areas, would help to solve the intractable issues on the ground.”
