APC govs donate N200m to Boko Haram victims

Opposition governors in the All Progressives Congress on Thursday held their third meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, where they donated N200m to victims of Boko Haram atrocities.

The governors also visited a popular market destroyed by members of the sect.

The meeting, which was attended by Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Kayode  Fayemi (Ekiti), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarwa), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), and deputy Governor of Yobe State,  was to fine-tune strategies for a national  campaign.

Our correspondent gathered, that the governors resolved to begin a national campaign to sensitise the public about the new party.

They also  instructed individual parties to begin the process of ratifying the APC pact in line with the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

After the meeting, which lasted for a few hours, Aregbesola read their communique to reporters.

He said,  “Rising from our meeting held in Maiduguri on February 28, 2013 and attended by Governors of Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Lagos,  Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, and Yobe and apologies from Governors of Zamfara and Oyo states,

“The forum  reiterated our irrevocable commitment to the emergence of the new party, All Progressive Congress.

“In solidarity with the Government and people of Borno and Yobe states, we are pleased to witness an upsurge of tranquility and happy that the situation has calmed down considerably in Maiduguri.

“Contrary to the image of rampant violence that has been painted to the  world, we have discovered the people going about their businesses without let or hindrance.

“We wish to commend the efforts of our brother-governors in the two states and the security agencies for the restoration of peace and stability.

“We also sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives and properties and wish to donate N200m to the two states for emergency relief and support.

“We wish to commend the Central Merger Committee of the APC on the progress so far made in the formation of the new party, particularly the recent inauguration of three major committees on Constitutions, Manifesto and Legal/INEC Compliance.

“Finally, we wish to inform Nigerians that we shall soon embark on a national outreach and sensitisation activities and we call on all Nigerians to support our effort to rescue our country from a visionless leadership.”

Governors entertained reporters by singing solidarity songs to reaffirm their political struggles.

In a brief remark, Oshiomhole explained that they were making individual contributions to assist the government and people of  Borno and Yobe states, who have carried the burden of the devastation of the insurgency.

Aregbesola explained that  the governors chose Maiduguri for the meeting because they wanted to share in the pains of the people and prove that leadership was about courage and decisiveness.

He stressed that  there shouldn’t be a no-go-area for any leader that meant well for his people.

Aregbesola said Maiduguri was described  as a no-go-area but that by their visit, the people outside now know that the situation was not as bad as people had painted it.