The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned an attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to politicise President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on illegal migration and trafficking of Nigerians.
The President reportedly spoke during the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
APC’s Acting National Publicity Secretary Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said:
“PDP in its typical insensitive and unguarded stance on matters affecting the country is exploiting an issue that borders on the lives of Nigerians (mostly youths). It is a fact that Nigerian families have suffered grief as a result of deaths and other inhuman treatment that have befallen relatives attempting migration to Europe and other parts of the world.
“Through support of international agreements/efforts towards curbing illegal migration, repatriation of stranded Nigerian migrants and addressing causes encouraging illegal migration of Nigerians, the President Buhari administration has demonstrated the political will to check the scourge.
“The pains and suffering most Nigerians go through with the hope of reaching Europe has been well reported. Through relevant agencies, the President Buhari government has continued to mitigate the migration crisis, particularly in Libya and Mediterranean Sea.
“Citizens will recall the presidential directive for Nigerians to be evacuated from Libya and other locations and be returned home safely. Already in place are interventionist programmes of the Federal Government to enable them start new and productive lives.
“With unemployment and poverty identified as one of the root causes of illegal migration, the President Buhari administration is using initiatives, such as N-Power, Bank of Industry Youth Entrepreneurship Support, Central Bank of Nigeria support schemes, agriculture, as well as Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce the rate of unemployment.”
