President Muhammadu Buhari gave an assurance Saturday in Abuja that his
administration will ensure that all cases of political assassinations,
intimidation and kidnappings in the country are thoroughly investigated
and the perpetrators speedily brought to justice, irrespective of their
political affiliations.
Addressing State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a
parley in the Presidential Villa, President Buhari declared that he
remains fully committed to providing a level playing field for all
Nigerians to get on with their daily lives or participate in electing
their leaders, without fear of intimidation.
The President said that his administration will continuously strengthen
Nigeria’s criminal justice system to curb the reign of injustice and
impunity in the country.
“At every point, the law must be supreme and everyone must respect the
law, if our democratic system is to survive.
“Injustice cannot survive for long. Justice will ultimately prevail. We
will make sure that those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring
justice and equity do not rest on their oars.
“The only way we can sustain our democracy is to ensure that the law
remains supreme at all times. If the law is upheld, people will have
confidence that they can vote for who they want to vote for, without
intimidation or threats. People must have protection to exercise their
rights freely or we could be headed for anarchy.
“The police and the judiciary must ensure that justice is done in the
country. We won’t allow impunity to continue in certain states, where the
rights of the people are being violated.
“I have a personal commitment to fair play and respect of personal rights.
This government will do all that is possible to enforce that.
“My address to National Executive Council of the APC was very clear. We
are now in the frontline. We are the party in government. We must lead by
good example and consolidate on the gains of our democratic system,’’
President Buhari said.
The President urged the APC State Chairmen and other political leaders in
the country to keep to prescribed legal processes for the resolution of
political disputes and never resort to violence, criminality and other
forms of unacceptable behavior in seeking redress for any perceived
injustice.
He also called on the state chairmen to work with the party’s elected
officials to ensure that the APC delivers on its promise of better living
conditions for all Nigerians.
The leader of the delegation and Chairman of the APC in Kano State, Umar
Dogowa, said that the APC State Chairmen were on a visit to the
Presidential Villa to reaffirm their support for President Buhari and his
administration .
Dogowa assured the President that the state chairmen would uphold the
values of the party, promote peace and unity in the country, and also
ensure that APC elected members fulfill their promises to Nigerians.
Some of the APC State Chairmen in states controlled by other parties had
complained to President Buhari of political intimidation and harassment.