Jonathan
The All Progressives Congress, APC has reacted to the reason given by President Goodluck Jonthan for not investigating the leaked Ekiti rigging tape, describing it as untenable and an after-thought.
The party also accused the President of having something to hide on the issue.
The party, in a statement issued in London on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the President was wrong to say the rigging audio tape has not been investigated because the person that leaked it has refused to come forward in order to authenticate it, wondering if the President would have followed the same line if the tape had revealed something contrary, or that the APC colluded with the military to rig the Ekiti election in favour of the APC candidate.
The party said the security agencies do not need any prodding or even a directive from the president to launch an investigation something as weighty as the subversion of democracy.
“Some people were found to be undermining democracy using a powerful national institution like the military, and all the President could say is that there will be no investigation until the officer who secretly recorded the tape has come forward to authenticate it. What a disingenuous argument!
“Is the President not aware that Capt. Sagir Koli, who recorded the tape, went into hiding because his life was in danger? Is the President not aware of the fate that befell Capt. Koli’s 15-year-old younger brother who was arrested and tortured at a military facility in Ibadan over the issue? Does the President not appreciate the patriotism which the officer exhibited by exposing those who criminally subverted democracy?” the party queried.
The party also wondered on what gave the President the impression that the audio tape is a fabrication even after confessing that he has not even listened to it, and also with almost all those attending the rigging meeting, including Musiliu Obanikoro, Ayodele Fayose, Jelili Adesiyan and Iyiola Omisore, admitting being present.
“Unless President Jonathan is afraid of what an investigation into the tape may reveal, he should be in the forefront of those calling for an investigation. This is because, according to the major players in the rigging tape, the Ekiti rigging assignment was done expressly in the name of the President.
”Obanikoro invoked the President’s name, saying he sent him to clinch victory for the PDP in the Ekiti governorship election. Unless the statement made by Obanikoro is true, the President has no business seeking to delay, even for one day, the investigation into the very serious allegations contained in the tape. The presence of Capt. Koli is not a necessary pre-condition for an investigation into the rigging allegation.
”We are therefore repeating our call for an urgent investigation of the Ekiti rigging audio and at the same time demanding that all those who are found to have willfully subverted democracy be tried for treason. For the avoidance of doubt, no matter how long it takes, we will ensure that all those involved in the Ekiti show of shame are brought to justice,” APC said
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