Aso Rock is not taking too kindly to the
spate of attacks against the president in tow northern states – Katsina
and Bauchi – where he visited to campaign this week.
The Special Adviser to the President on
Political Affairs, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali, released a statement on
Friday, in which he said the “nonsense must stop”. Ahmed accused the APC
and its presidential candidate of violating the terms of the peace pact
even though there is no proof of the APC instigating its supporters to
carry out the act. The APC and its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari have
since publicly condemned the attacks.
According to the statement from the presidency:
“When the peace pact by the major
political parties participating in the 2015 general elections was
signed, Nigerians heaved a great sigh of relief in the belief that the
tensions stocked up in the build up to the campaigns will subside.
“President Jonathan who is also the
leader of the PDP blazed the trail in appending his signature to the
historic document. General Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of other parties
also signed, pledging a violence-free electioneering process and
rejection of uncouth and inciting language.
“Unfortunately, while President Jonathan
and the PDP have remained bound by the letters and spirit of the peace
pact, supporters of the APC candidate are having a field day, violating
all the terms of the pact and engaging in violence even on the person
and entourage of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The successive incidents in Katsina and
Bauchi States where irate youth supporters of the APC unleashed a reign
of terror on the convoy of the President are ominous wind that blows no
one any good.
“A situation where any citizen of
Nigeria, least of all the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be made unsafe in any
part of Nigeria is unacceptable and stands condemned.
“Were it not for the maturity and
professionalism of the security personnel on the convoy of the
President, an ugly scenario provoked by these hooligans would have held
sway. We commend the security agents for nipping the situation in the
bud.”
The Presidency called on leaders of the
APC “on whose behalf these dastardly acts where executed to call their
attack dogs to order, in order to avert similar reprisal measures by
overzealous supporters of other Parties.”
Alkali added that Jonathan remained
firmly committed to the peace pact and “has successfully reigned in his
supporters to avoid violence or inciting statements.”
Alkali thanked Nigerians “for the
rousing welcome accorded the President in all locations where the
campaign team had visited so far. While the APC has continued to whip
up sentiments and run a divisive campaign, we are satisfied with the
show of love, support and solidarity shown by all Nigerians at our
campaign venues.
“Finally, we shall not allow desperate
people to distract us from our drive to connect with Nigerian people and
lift them to greater heights. This nonsense must stop.”
“Call your attack dogs to order”: Aso Rock is furious about the attacks on the president’s convoy
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Oleh
healthandwealth
