Leadership/NAN April 4, 2013
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, PDP National Chairman says the nation was under an evil attack by enemies of its unity, and called for collective effort to curb the security challenges posed these enemies of progress.
Tukur who spoke against the backdrop of the Boko Haram insurgency, stated this in London at the ``2013 Nigeria Arise Award’’, media chat Organised by BEN TV.
``Nigeria is under attack and these people attack churches, mosque, market places, schools, and even telecom facilities, it is not attributed to any part of the country, tribe or faith alone’’
``It is an evil that we must all challenge, don't give it any other name other than evil, as a big party, I am calling on leaders of all the political parties, and this is not politics, CPC, ACN, and all other political parties to come together to fight this evil,’’ Tukur said.
He said the media had a key role to play in creating awareness to enable all Nigerians wake up to the challenge which was fast distabilising the nation.
On the recent state pardon granted to Chief Diepreye Alameisegha , the former Governor of Bayelsa, Tukur said: ``its the guilty that is pardoned, not the man who did the right thing.’’
``It is not the quantum of guilt, but the admittance of guilt based on self confession,’’ he added.
He called for the understanding of Nigerians, saying the pardon was in good faith.
It would be recalled that the National Council of State headed by President Goodluck Jonathan last month granted state pardon to Alameisegha and seven others, a move which has attracted controversy and criticism around the world.
With the state pardon, Alamieyeseigha is now freed of the constitutional ban from holding public office in the future.
The Chairman who expressed the party's commitment to resolving internal crisis rocking the PDP said, upon assumption of office he adopted the three ``R,E and D’’ approach of reconciliation, education and dialogue among others to unite the party.
He commended the ``Nigeria Arise Award’’ initiative saying it would encourage Nigerians to strive to achieve in their various field.
Similarly, Mr Alistair Soyede the Chairman of BEN TV, and Organiser of ``Nigeria Arise’’ said is the award is a project aimed ``at a total reorientation of all Nigerians to aim high, rise and be worthy ambassadors of the country ".
Soyode said that the 2013 award would cover 24 categories, ranging from personality, brands, governance and services.
The Western Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Late Literature icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe would be honoured at this year ceremony which comes up in July in Abuja.
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