The Neo Africana Centre, a public policy think tank, has expressed concern about rumors that some presidential candidates in the February 25 elections are in merger talks with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with the intention of withdrawing from the race in favor of the PDP presidential candidate.
According to Jenkins Udu, the Centre’s Director of Public Affairs, while the Centre has always scoffed at such insinuations, it was deeply alarmed when Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, was mentioned as one of those considering withdrawing from the race for Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
Such an unholy rumour, according to the Centre, is viewed with revulsion. It urged Nigerians to avoid desperate politicians who want to earn cheap political points by spreading lies.
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It also stated that it is convinced that nation-wreckers are attempting to hide behind the mask of politics in order to wreak havoc on the system. To that end, the body advises voters to be wary of desperate campaigners and their stunts.
The Centre questioned why anyone seeking true change in the country would ignore problems of national importance and instead focus on rumors and fabrication.
The statement reads in part, “As a body interested in issues of democracy , public policy and good governance, we find such an unfounded rumor distracting and mischievous . It aims at diverting attention from the germane issues that should form the fulcrum of the campaigns and dwells instead on inanities and rumour-mongering. This is an act of desperation which should be shunned by well meaning Nigerians.
“We would have indulged the fancies and fantasies of the desperate campaigners if they had chosen to use in vain the names of the presidential candidates that cannot be taken too seriously in the race.
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“But to insinuate that a frontline presidential candidate like Peter Obi is considering withdrawing from the race is the height of absurdity. It is an assault on the psyche of Obi’s teeming supporters. Such cheap rumours can only appeal to the shallow imagination of its purveyors.
“May we alert Nigerians to the fact that the campaigns have entered a crucial endgame. At a time like this, desperadoes and buccaneers are bound to foul the atmosphere. This is already being seen in the dirty, drag-out fight between the presidential campaign councils of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The unfounded rumours bordering on mergers and withdrawals could be another layer of this act of desperation. Nigerians should be vigilant lest unpatriotic elements drag them into the pit of hell.
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“In the light of the foregoing, we call on the leadership of the PDP to, as a matter of honour, disclaim the toxic rumour and set the records straight. It should, particularly, apologize to Peter Obi over the embarrassing insinuation. This is the least that we expect from a political party that wants the people to entrust it with the leadership and destiny of the country,” it said.
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