Page 36 The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described as strange, President Muhammadu Buhari’s attitude towards the Abule Ado explosion, in Lagos State.
The explosion supposedly caused by a gas pipeline, left 18 persons dead, and destroyed over 50 houses.
While some Nigerians had expected Buhari to go to Lagos, to sympathise with the victims of the very unfortunate and sad incident, it was instead, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who visited Abuja, to show Buhari pictures of the Lagos tragedy.
Reacting, the PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, frowned at Buhari’s behaviour.
The party called on the President to “end his embarrassing lethargic approach to governance and the welfare of Nigerians, and immediately proceed to Lagos, to reassure Nigerians over the horrendous Abule Ado explosion, that killed many of our compatriots, injured, and rendered many more homeless”.
The party said that with such a national calamity and attendant loss of lives and property, it is indeed strange that a Leader could remain distant, and not deem it fit to personally identify with the victims through a visit, but prefer to wait in the comfort of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, to be presented with photographs of the ugly incident.
“The PDP holds as unfortunate, that the Buhari Presidency always waits to be reminded or prodded, before identifying with our citizens, and taking up responsibility, whenever our nation is confronted with critical issues that directly affect the well-being and security of Nigerians.
“Nigerians had expected Mr. President to always lead from the front, on serious national issues, as he promised, but this had not been the case, resulting in leadership failure and myriads of security, economic, environmental, and political problems that had bedevilled our nation, in the last five years”, the party said.
It therefore, urged President Buhari’s handlers to immediately schedule a visit to Abule Ado, Lagos, so that Mr. President can have an on-the-spot assessment of the horrific incident, and take corresponding action to avert a future recurrence.
The party further called for a forensic investigation into the spate of explosions, particularly the Abule Ado disaster, given the conflicting reports on the cause of the incident.
Also reacting, the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, said: “You claim to be President of all, yet this happens in your nation’s commercial capital, and you do not see fit to go there to see for yourself, and stand with your people? The best you can do is gawk at the pictures that were brought to you? You are callous, heartless, and insensitive!”
