Baga: Presidency replies CPC, says party is playing to the gallery

In reaction to the criticism it received from the CPC over its inability to visit Baga after 2 weeks of mayhem that killed over 200 people, the presidency has defended the steps it has taken so far towards restoring peace and security in the area.

Reacting, Presidential Spokesman, Reuben Abati said, President Goodluck Jonathan has been very pro-active in dealing with the Baga incident.

Abati in defense of his boss said, it is in the character of the CPC and its spokesperson to play to the gallery even when the occasion calls for maturity and sobriety.

“The problem with them is that they consider everything “very unacceptable”, and in particular everything relating to President Jonathan. They deserve our sympathy,” he said.

“The Congress for Progressive Change, in a statement today, by its National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin has grumbled that President Goodluck Jonathan ought to have visited Baga in Borno state, following the incident of April 16.”

The spokesman explained that President Jonathan has been very pro-active in dealing with the Baga incident, saying he ordered an immediate probe by the Military High Command and also directed the quick intervention of rescue and aid agencies.

He added that ,“The reports of the investigations by the Military High Command and the National Emergency Management Agency have since been made public.

“President Jonathan has described the incident as most unfortunate and regrettable and he has made it clear that where there is any established case of misconduct, justice will be done. He has also welcomed the plan by the National Human Rights Commission to carry out independent investigations. He continues to receive regular briefings on the incident, even as he has directed the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to come up with an assistance programme for the displaced persons in Baga. “These steps surely do not give an impression of “insensitivity or aloofness”. Rather, it is the CPC that is being insensitive by struggling to make cheap political gain out of this,” Abati said.

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