FG condemns threat of violence by ex-militants

Federal Government has condemned the threat by some ex-militants that they would declare war against the nation, if President Goodluck Jonathan did not win the forthcoming election.
 

Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, described the threat by the warlords as reprehensible, noting that there was no basis for such threats, stressing that Jonathan had said that he would concede defeat if he lost the presidential election.


Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Moro stated that the President had promised free and credible elections and therefore cautioned against inflammatory remarks and actions that may plunge the country into avoidable crisis.

He said,”It is reprehensible for people to threaten this country with mayhem and violence should their candidate lose the elections. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has not left anybody in doubt as to his preparedness to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election.

“Mr. President has said that in the unlikely event of his losing the election, in the course of this exercise, that he was democratic enough to concede defeat.

” And so if Mr President himself, who is the main contestant in this election, who is the President of this country, who is the leader of the PDP has come out to say that he was going to ensure free and fair elections where the choice of Nigerians would be respected, I do not see where statements from the supporters of either Mr. President or any other political parties for that matter should derail the course of this democratic movement.”

The minister said that the anxiety over the elections was unwarranted, noting that it was in the character of elections to generate hype in the media, adding that the Federal Government was determined to conduct hitch-free elections.

He said in spite of the hype about the elections, Nigerians have nothing to worry about, stressing that citizens do not need to leave their state of residence for other parts of the country as being reported.

The minister said adequate security would be provided during the polls, noting that all the security agencies have been sufficiently mobilized, stressing that the necessary men and materials would be deployed to ensure a credible electoral process.

Moro stated that foreigners would not be allowed to vote during the elections, as according to him, the Nigeria Immigration Service has heightened its surveillance of the borders and is working with other security outfits to make sure only registered Nigerians exercise their franchise.