Presidency condemns attack, says opposition making Nigeria ungovernable

THE Presidency has condemned Saturday’s burning down
of a bus belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) by suspected
supporters of the rival All Progressives Congress (APC), in
Jos, Plateau State.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on
Political Affairs, Professor Rufai Alkali, who issued a
statement in Abuja, on Sunday, the incident had further
demonstrated the level of the desperation of the opposition
and their plot to intimidate other Nigerians out of the
political space.
The presidential aide stated that the burning of the bus
would not deter the determination of President Jonathan in
his commitment to ensure free and fair elections
nationwide next month.
The statement said: “we have observed a dangerous trend
of politically motivated violence unleashed on innocent
Nigerians by supporters of those who have shown
desperation to assume political power at all costs.
“While we are not surprised by acts of desperation already
shown by these people who have no articulate agenda for
nation building, we are amazed at how quickly they are
willing to manifest their evil intentions on our dear country.
“The incidence in Jos, Plateau State, where our campaign
vehicles were torched by irate youth supporters of the APC
underscores the need for vigilance as we progress towards
the General Elections.
“This criminal behaviour, which is meant to intimidate
others and deny them their freedom of choice, stands
condemned.
“The leaders, whose utterances and conduct have
encouraged this kind of behaviour must bear full
responsibility for this.
“With the way things are going, it seems the ultimate
agenda of making Nigeria ungovernable as prophesied by
these politicians is underway.
“In carrying out this unpatriotic behaviour, they wish to first
of all discredit the electoral process and set the stage for
an orgy of violence once they fail in the elections.
“Nigerians are well aware of these antics and are fully
prepared to protect their rights to freedom of choice.
“We condemn the acts of violence in Jos, Plateau State and
also condemn the threats to violence in every other part of
the country.
While declaring that the attacks must stop, the Presidency
reiterated that the Federal Government was determined to
ensure that no Nigerian was prevented from campaigning
in any part of the country.
The statement further said: “we declare unequivocally that
no Nigerian citizen should be prevented from campaigning
in any part of the country. We, therefore, call on the law
enforcement agencies to protect and guarantee the safety
of every Nigerian legitimately canvassing for votes all over
Nigeria.
“We invite law enforcement agencies to note the
pronouncements of desperate politicians who are bent on
fanning the embers of hate and threaten the peaceful
conduct of the 2015 elections.
“We once more wish to reiterate the commitment of
President Goodluck Jonathan to a peaceful and rancour
free electoral process. He has said times without number
that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“We, therefore, call on members of the PDP and supporters
of the president to exercise restraint and show maturity
even in the face of extreme provocations. “
Meanwhile, men of the Special Task Force in charge of the
security in Plateau State have arrested 14 people in
connection with the destruction of President Goodluck
Joanthan’s campaign vehicles on Saturday while the irate
youths also burnt down a police station to protest the
arrest.
Plateau State Police Commissioner, Mr Nasiru who
confirmed arrest of some of the youths by men of the STF,
said those arrested were yet to be handed over to the
police for proper prosecution.