The All Progressives Congress on Monday stated the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will not persecute anyone, urging outgoing public officials to clear their conscience. The party in a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said “those that had played poker with the nation's destiny must be willing and eager to clear their conscience before man and God.” ”That the President-elect is a man of integrity is not an issue for debate, and he has made it clear that he will not be bogged down by endless probes. ”However, the hands of the incoming government will not be tied by those who have chosen to play the victim and exhibit a persecution mentality. Whoever has any reason to be afraid must lay bare such reason before Nigerians.” The statement added that under the climate of change that Nigerians had ushered in with their votes, only the guilty needs to be afraid, adding that those with a guilty conscience, on account of their actions in the public sphere, must clear such so they can be at peace with themselves. ”The last time we checked, this does not fit the definition of persecution,” it stated. ”Since the presidential election was won and lost, the President and the President-elect have met privately a number of times. Why didn't President Jonathan express his apprehensions during these meetings?," the party queried. ”Even if the two have not met, the President could have reached out to the President-elect over any fears that he may be nursing, instead of engaging in an action that seems like he was being pre-emptive and seeking to curry public sympathy.”
