The Peoples Democratic Party says the reasons advanced by Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle for joining the All Progressive Party (APC) has confirmed that the ruling party is responsible for the insecurity across the country.

On Friday, in a interview with Osasu TV, Bello Matawalle, said he joined APC so that he can bring more peace to the state.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in press statement on Saturday, said the APC have been encouraging kidnapping for ransom “as a way to create an emergency situation to cover their atrocities and siphon public funds.”

The opposition party mentioned that Mr Matawalle have been under pressure to join APC with several threats from the federal government. 

“The statement by Governor Matawalle further confirms that the APC has been promoting insecurity particularly terrorism and kidnapping for ransom, in various parts of the country as a way to create an emergency situation to cover their atrocities, siphon public funds as well as intimidate and coerce state governors elected on the platform of other political parties to join their fold,” the statement reads.

“The PDP recalls how Governor Matawalle had been under pressure by the APC-led Federal Government with the imposition of no flight  as well as threats of state of emergency in the state. 

“Nigerians now know those behind the violent abductions, kidnapping and other acts of terrorism in the state and other parts of the country as well as why the situation has continued to escalate under the APC.”

Mr Ologbondiyan accused the APC of killing and committing various atrocities against Nigerians for their political gains.

He noted that Mr Matawalle’s confession shows that the party does not have any democratic credentials claimed by the APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, rather , Mr Matawalle surrendered to “those behind the killings and acts of violence in Nigeria.”

“It is indeed atrocious and most unpardonable that the APC is using the blood of innocent and helpless Nigerians for its political gains as well as to create a gory merchandise for its leaders and cronies,” he said.

“PDP holds that by this confession, it is therefore clear that Governor Matawalle did not defect to the APC because the Party has any democratic credential as erroneously claimed by the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, but only surrendered to intimidation and cowardly joined those behind the killings and acts of violence in Nigeria.

“Of course, the APC, as a party of political bandits, does not have any democratic credential to attract well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians.

He added, “Governor Matawalle must however note that joining such individuals, who have brought so much anguish and pain to his people, is an unpardonable act of betrayal which will continue to act as an albatross particularly against the backdrop of his own vows.”

“On the reclaiming of the governorship mandate, the PDP described Matawalle’s boast as the feeble kick of a disoriented and confused deserter, stressing that the 1999 Constitution (as amended)  is clear on the responsibilities of a deputy governor that finds himself under an absconding governor like Matawalle,” the statement concluded.

However, PDP had earlier warned Mr Matawalle that he will not be allowed to cross over to APC as a sitting governor because the mandate of the governorship election was given to the party and not individuals.