President Goodluck Jonathan has been called upon to arrest and prosecute chieftains of the All Progressive Congress, APC for saying they will form a parallel government in the country if the party does not win the 2015 presidential election.
The call was made by the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Reverend Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche while speaking at the National Christian Centre, Abuja during a special church service to mark the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The special church service was attended by President Jonathan and other senior government officials.
Rev. Uche said: “Votes must be counted and recorded and results written and there should be no forgery.
“Those saying they will form a parallel government or invite the military are committing felony; they should be in prison because they are committing treason,” he stated.
He further called on the government to immediately come up with a legislation that would enable the authorities to jail for no less than 12 years any presidential candidate that “misbehaves.”
The cleric commended the Armed Forces for their maturity and for allowing democracy to nurture for 16 years without interruption.
“They should mobilise soldiers and policemen to co-ordinate the elections and any presidential aspirant that misbehaves should be imprisoned for at least 12 years.
“I thank God the Senate President is here. There should be a law that will see that such people should be in prison; not the one that will take three years to pass but the one that will be passed two weeks before elections,” he stated.
The head of the Methodist Church decried the situation where high profile citizens have resorted to making unguarded utterances for cheap political gains rather than partner with government to tackle insecurity in the country.
“Arresting the menace of Boko Haram would have been possible but it has been impossible because of many disgruntled elements who are involved.
“These disgruntled country men and women have made themselves enemies of Nigeria. These people sabotage every effort of government to bring peace in the North- East of Nigeria.
“Some shameless individuals and groups make such utterances and use grievous situation as a tool for politicking,” he stated.
Rev Uche further disclosed that with information available to him, 95 per cent of persons fighting Nigeria in the guise of Boko Haram were of Fulani and Kanuri origin.
“But why should people wage war against their country? Let me reveal to you this evening and at this important service at this juncture, that some of our soldiers because you know we Bishops we have impact in the society, we relate with soldiers and all manner of people.
“Some of the people in the warfront have confided in us that apart from some mercenaries from Chad, Libya as well as Somalia, 95 per cent of those fighting our country are Fulani and Kanuri origin. And this takes me to the critical
Question, ‘Why are they aggrieved? Two, who are their sponsors?”
He called on the federal government to continue with the effective funding of the military as they continue to make daily sacrifices to keep the nation together.
Comments