The South West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked
security agencies to go beyond just stopping the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN) youths visit to Cuba, saying; “The youths should be
investigated to know the level of their involvement and knowledge of
the main mission for the trip.”
Security agents at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, on
Thursday night reportedly stopped the youths, numbering more than 50
from embarking on the Cuba trip, which was sponsored by the Osun State
Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.
PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Hon Kayode Babade, alleged in a
statement issued today that; “as against claim by the ACN government
in Osun State that the trip was for student activists to witness the
May day celebration in Cuba, we have information that only seven out
of the over 50 youths billed to embark on the trip were students.
The party said “other youths that were part of the trip were drawn
from Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States and they were not student activists.”
“We wish to commend security agents at the Murtala Mohammed
International Airport for aborting this Aregbesola’s evil trip to
Cuba, a development that has vindicated us on our earlier stand that
the Cuba trip was inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“However, it is our belief that security agencies in the country must
go beyond mere stoppage of the trip. They must investigate the youths
that are involved in this trip with a view to finding out their level
of involvement and understanding of the real mission of the trip.
“Also, background check must also be done on the affected youths so as
to ascertain their past activities, political views and sources of
livelihood.
“Our concern on this issue is premised on the present security
situation in the country vis Governor Aregbesola’s radical political
and religious views, which has remained a source worry not only in
Osun State, but in the country.
“Nigeria cannot afford another Boko Haram, hence, our concern that
activities of Aregbesola and his party, especially in relation to
religious extremism and disintegration of the country must not be
treated with levity.
“For instance, Governor Aregbesola’s continued defence of his change
of Osun State to ‘The State of Osun’ is enough pointer to the fact
that he (Aregbesola) and his party are desirous of precipitating
crises in the country and this must be nipped in the bud before
another Boko Haram begins to stare us in the face,” the PDP said.
