A group known as the Nigerian Wailers has alleged that election in Nigeria has become a “do-or-die” affair since the All Progressives Congress, APC, assumed power in 2015.
The group made the claim while reacting to comments made by the National Chairman of the APC, John Oyegun and the Kano State Governor, Abdulaziz Ganduaje, during the party’s campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday.
Both APC Chieftains had made comments capable of inciting violence, with Oyegun telling party supporters to retaliate any action directed at them during the Saturday’s election.
But in a statement issued by the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the group, Usman Abubakar, tittle: “Stop inciting Violence in Rivers Election Rerun,” they called on President Muhammadu Buhari to condemn such inciting statement.
The body noted that should the President refuse to do any thing about the comment, it shows that the “APC has a plot to set Nigeria on fire.”
According to the body, election has been peaceful until APC assumed power, thereby depriving electorates of their power to “freely choose who they want to govern them.”
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the inciting statement credited to the National Chairman of the Ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Oyegun and the Kano State Governor, Mr Ganduaje, which has been reconfirmed.
“The Statements, which they both made at the APC rally today, in the run down to the Rivers rerun, reads:
“If they push you, push them back. If they slap you, slap them back. As you can see, we came in force. The whole federal might is here” ~Odigie Oyegun, PC National Chairman.
“If they shoot at you, take cover and shoot them back.” ~Gov. Danguje, Kano State.
“We are wondering, at what point did election becomes arm conflict or war in Nigeria? These dangerous and inciting statements by the Chairman of APC and Kano State Governor, must be condemned by Mr President. If this statement is not condemned by President Buhari, it then means that APC has a plot to set Nigeria on fire.
“Elections have been so peaceful, free and fair until APC took over powers, and ripped the electorates their power to freely choose who they want to govern them. Since then, elections have become a do or die affairs with the APC. This is sad, we are also aware that all these are preparations to test ground for 2019.
“If Oyegun and Ganduaje are responsible people who love Nigeria above any selfish political interest, and also willing to lay a good foundation for the youths and incoming generation to follow, they should be working round the clock on how to ensure that Nigeria get out of the present economic doldrums their party has brought upon Nigeria. They should not be in Rivers to brag about Federal might or to intimidate, induce voters and also incite violence.
“We condemn in strong terms the statements and demand that the duo of APC National Chairman and Ganduaje who left all the way from Kano state to incite violence in Rivers State, to tender an apology to Nigerians.
“We call on all Riverians to shun and not mind Oyegun and Gadunaje call for Violence, if you allow them to set your state on fire, they will not take part or bear the consequence with you. We therefore warn the violence promoter to desist from such act and call for a peaceful election.”
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