President Jonathan and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to
call to order Niger Delta ex-militants who have threatened to wage war
against the country in the event that their “son” loses the February 14
presidential election.
The APCPCO said in a statement by Garba Shehu, Director of Media &
Publicity of the campaign that the irresponsible ultimatum by the
ex-militants is not only a barbaric threat on the sovereignty of our
Republic, but goes against the spirit and letter of the non-violence pact
to which President Jonathan is a signatory.
Shehu 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 APCPCO reminded President 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 need to be denounced by him in the
interest of the democracy, unity and stability of Nigeria.
According to Shehu, these drum beats by elements associated with President
Jonathan need 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 and not the bullet.
The APC Campaign called on Jonathan to 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 noted that the latest threat is not an isolated act as the
threat on General Muhammadu Buhari by Governor 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.
“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,” Shehu said.
“The first step the President needs to take, to show seriousness in
dealing with this issue is to dismiss from his government, his Special
Adviser on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku who presided at the meeting at which
this obnoxious resolution to dismember Nigeria was taken,” added the
statement.