CPC is a non-violent party, says Suswam

Governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, declared yesterday that the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is a non-violent party.

The governor stated this when he received the CPC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, at the banquet hall of Benue State Government House, Makurdi.

Addressing Buhari and his entourage, Suswam said: “I must say that CPC is a non-violent party in Benue State. I must appreciate and commend the maturity you (Buhari) have been carrying out your campaign across the country.”

Suswam, who is President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 North-central Zonal Co-ordinator, made this remarks at a time the Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) was accusing Buhari and CPC of fomenting violence in some parts of the country.

The governor also praised Buhari’s visit to state governors whereever he goes. “I really appreciate your gesture of visiting state governors whereever you go. You and PDP presidential candidate are good examples to other candidates,” he said.

He told the CPC leader that he was free to campaign in every part of Benue State and urged CPC supporters to conduct themselves in peaceful manner.

Speaking during the visit, Buhari, pledged to resuscitate ailing textiles industries which used to employ 300,000 Nigerians and provide security to the people if elected in April poll.

The presidential candidate called on CPC supporters in the state to guard their votes to avoid rigging, pointing out that the situation where he spent about eighteen months at election tribunal to claim his mandate will no longer be tolerated.

Earlier, Governor Suswam, while exchanging banters with CPC North-Central Presidential Campaign Coordinator, Dr. Hasan Lawal, asked him thus: “My friend what are you doing in CPC?” Lawal replied, “PDP is dead.” The governor went ahead to complain to Buhari on a lighter note thus: “You have separated me from my friends, who are now in CPC.”

Buhari was accompanied to the government house by Benue state CPC governorship candidate, Engineer Bisibi Ati; his running mate, Linus Ode; CPC state chairman, Samuel Adoyi; General India Garba (rtd); Chief Chris Hasan, among other party chieftains.

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