Buhari urges Jonathan to rein in Dukobo, Tompolo over war threats

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari has urged President Goodluck Jonathan and his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call the Niger Delta ex-militants to order who have threatened to wage war against the country in the event that Jonathan loses the February 14 presidential election. A statement by the APC […]

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari has urged President Goodluck Jonathan and his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call the Niger Delta ex-militants to order who have threatened to wage war against the country in the event that Jonathan loses the February 14 presidential election.

A statement by the APC campaign media and publicity director Malam Garba Shehu said the ultimatum by the ex-militants is not only a barbaric threat on the sovereignty of the country but goes against the spirit and letter of the non-violence pact to which Jonathan is a signatory.

The APC campaign spokesperson observed that the declaration of war against the state is causing panic and concern among Nigerians who are already embattled by so many challenges particularly of insecurity, which have been begging for attention.

The Buhari campaign reminded Jonathan that as commander-in-chief, it is his primary responsibility to ensure the protection of the citizens and their properties and that such open declaration of war by the ex-militants and several other acts of violence needed to be denounced by him in the interest of democracy, unity and stability of Nigeria.

He said these drum beats by elements associated with Jonathan needed to change to peace beats so that the citizens, especially the youth need to be encouraged that the sustenance of the country’s democracy is better achieved through the ballot box and not the bullet. 

“Jonathan should make good on his declaration that his “re-election is not worth the blood of any Nigerian’, by calling these war mongers in his domain to order,” the campaign said.

It noted that the latest threat is not an isolated act as the threat on General Buhari by Governor Ayo Fayose and the attacks on the party’s offices and rally in Rivers are pointers of coordinated insurrection against the APC ahead of next month’s general elections.

The campaign added that “‎it is disconcerting that the president has not immediately addressed such treasonable actions by persons who in the past have taken up arms against the Republic, and whose amnesty is dependent on their good behaviour and complete disarmament. 

“The president needs to remember that he took an oath, as commander-in-chief, to protect Nigeria against all threats, external and internal. In this case, his silence could be misconstrued as an implicit approval of this declaration of war, seeing as the meeting of the warlords and subsequent declaration of war were from his own backyard, his home state,” the statement said.