The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday warned the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) that it would not tolerate any protest or call for the resignation of the country’s Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke over the recently audited report on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
A forensic audit of the financial activities of NNPC indicted the Corporation and recommended that it should refund at least $1.48 billion to the federation account.
Since the report was made public, some Nigerians have been calling for the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the stealing.
However, the PDP on Friday accused the opposition of engaging a group to demand for the resignation of the Minister.
PDP said there was also a plan to sponsor protests in Lagos and Abuja against the continued stay in office of Alison-Madueke.
“Our attention has been drawn to a text message being circulated by a nebulous group under the name, Save Democracy Youth Movement, calling on the Minister of Petroleum and the Minister of Finance to tender their resignations before the 11th of February 2015, citing unfounded allegations as reason,” PDP said in a statement issued by its spokesman, Olisa Metuh.
“We have information that this unwarranted attack is sponsored by the opposition who also has plans to follow up the text messages with sponsored protests in Abuja and Lagos to further heat-up the system ahead of the February 14, 2015 general elections.
“From all indications, this senseless attack is aimed at demonising our women folk who have been playing key roles in the laudable achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.”
Metuh said the move bears the full imprints of the opposition which has not hidden its aversion to women holding important positions in the country, in keeping with their ideology which prescribes that no woman, no matter how brilliant should be heard or seen.
“Furthermore, we invite Nigerians to note the timing of the text message and the planned protest, merely few days before the 14 February election date,” he added.
“This leaves no one in doubt about the plot by the opposition to stir up civil unrest ahead of the polls as part of the greater agenda to scuttle the electoral process.
“In any case, we wish to inform the opposition that as the largest political party in the country, we will no longer continue to condone unjustified sponsored attacks on our party and/or our elected and appointed officers.”
Metuh said the fact that PDP has remained calm and peaceful despite the numerous provocations does not in anyway suggest that it will allow itself to be cowed by the enemies of peace, unity and stability of the nation.
“We remain confident that our Presidential flagbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan is running on his enviable record of performance and achievements in virtually all sectors of our national life for which the electorate are eager to demonstrate their appreciation by re-electing him come February 14th,” he said.
“We therefore call on all lovers of democracy and the security agencies to note the sinister agenda of the opposition and hold them responsible should there be any breach of the peace before, during and after the elections.”