The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the in-coming Buhari administration would not persecute anyone, contrary to statements credited to President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement issued, on Monday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, it said that those who 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 in-coming 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 party said.

It said that under the climate of change that Nigerians have ushered in with their votes, only the guilty needed to be afraid, and those with a guilty conscience, on account of their actions in the public sphere, must clear such, so that they could be at peace with themselves.

The party wondered why Jonathan chose a public forum to express his fears when he could have done so privately during his meetings with the President-elect.

”Since the presidential election was won and lost, Jonathan President and the President-elect have met privately a number of times. Why didn’t Jonathan express his apprehensions during these meetings?

“Even if the two have not met, the Jonathan could have reached out to the President-elect over any fear 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,” it said.

APC insisted that the priority of the in-coming government would be the welfare and security of the long-suffering people of Nigeria, and enjoined all citizens to support the administration in charting a new path for the country – away from the rapaciousness and impunity of the past years.