APC Blasts President Jonathan over Refusal to Acknowledge Ekiti Rigging Tape
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said President Goodluck Jonathan’s reason for not probing the Ekiti state polls rigging audio tape is because he may have something to hide.
The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, issued a statement in London on Wednesday saying the President was wrong to have said the rigging audio tape had not been investigated because the army captain who leaked it had not come forward to authenticate it.
He said: ”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?
”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 wilfully 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.
The party in its conclusion advised the President to listen the audio tape of the meeting and also watch the video tape of the subsequent interview with Capt. Koli, so that he will be able to make an informed judgement on it, instead of making incoherent and confounding statements on the issue.
