Balarabe, CPC, CD ask Azazi to resign

NATIONAL Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi (retd), has come under intense criticism after he blamed the Peoples Democratic Party for the violence in parts of the country.

Azazi, at the Second South South Economic Summit in Asaba, Selta State, on Friday, said the PDP was partly responsible for the activities of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

A former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa, the Congress for Progressive Change and the Campaign for Democracy, who expressed their disappoint with Azazi’s remark on Sunday and asked the NSA to resign.

Balarabe, in an interview with one of our correspondents in Kaduna, said that if the NSA had conscience, he would have resigned his appointment.

He said, “Any way, Azazi is the Chief Security adviser of the government. So, we should assume that he before he went public he briefed the President appropriately. We should not believe that he didn’t do so, because if he didn’t do so, then that would amount to sabotage.

“Now, he couldn’t have sabotaged the government as the NSA. We should assume that he advised the President and he didn’t take it that was why he went public. Let us see what will follow that statement.

“We should gauge the statement on the basis of his status and responsibility. We should believe in what he is saying because he knows the implications and he knows everything about what is happening.  His resignation is a matter of social conscience.”

The CPC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said the PDP could no longer hide the truth.

He said, “It means we are being told that falsehood and disguised mendacity have gone full cycle and there is nothing more to say to hide the truth. The PDP shall remain the problem of the nation so long as we allow its rule of political landscape.

He said, “Many people may not understand why he said what he said. But there comes a time when honour and personal integrity must be preferred to official subterfuges. If he believes fervently in what he said, nothing (If need be, resignation) must be deemed sacred in defending his belief.”

The CD President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said the NSA should have advised the government to solve the problem of Boko Haram, instead of expressing his opinion at a regional meeting.

Okei-Odumakin stated, “He (Azazi)   should resign. It is also an indictment of the PDP and Jonathan.”