A group, The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria has come out openly
to express displeasure over inflammatory comments and activities of some
ethnic groups ahead of the 2015 general elections, stating that plans by
the various groups to make Nigeria ungovernable after 2015 if their
anointed candidate does not win election is not only -anti- democratic but
a total contradiction of free, fair and transparent elections anywhere in
the world.
The group which held a press briefing yesterday in Abuja to specifically
address the attacks on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s campaign train
in Katsina, Bauchi and some other parts of the north and the recent
regrouping of ex-Niger Delta warlords in a peace summit at Yenegoa by Gov
Seriake Dickson said these twin events
are signs that ethnic bigots are footing plans to visit the peace of the
nation with violence and untold hardship based on their presumed outcome
of the 2015 general elections.
According to Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi Shagari who spoke on behalf of the
conference, in as much as Nigerians and observers of our democracy have
unequivocally lambasted and condemn the unwarranted attack on the campaign
train of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi States, we will
not be fast to commend the peace summit organised by the Bayelsa State
Governor, Serike Dickson knowing fully well that more than 200 ex-warlords
like Asari Dokunbo, General Tompolo, Ateke Tom, General Ogunboss and a
couple of ex-militants from Imo, Abia and Ondo States also attended the
meeting at a time that members of the Ijaw Youth Council are threatening
retaliating attacks on Gemeral Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential
candidate of the All Progressive Congress.
The group warned that Nigerians must learn from history as Boko Haram
which has caused us grievous national and economic damages is still
believed by many as a product of inflammatory comments by north leaders to
make Nigeria ungovernable should Jonathan wins in 2011 and rise up against
any similar threats coming from the ex-warlords ahead of 2015.
According to COMTIN, Nigerians are not in anyway in doubt about the
capacity of these repentant militants to resume kidnapping of expatriates,
shutting down of oil infrastructure, vandalisation of government
properties, bombings and other acts of hostilies but morality must prevail
on every actor within the political space that Nigeria does not belong to
any particular group and our collective existence should never be
contemplated at the course of the journey.
They added that the recent peace pact signed by presidential candidates of
the leading political parties in Nigeria has not yielded any positive
results, therefore all gladiators must return home immediately to educate
their followers on the need to implore democratic means on the outcome of
the elections and not plunge the nation into war, anarchy and lawlessness
for their selfish interest.
“The handwritng on the wall has clearly shown that the drums of war across
the country is louder in rhythm than issue based campaigns that should
ordinarily rule the political air space especially as we move very close
to the general but unfortunately anti-democratic activities like stoning,
violence, intimidation and even threats of war have become the order of
the day.”
“It is on this note that as much as we condemn the violent attacks on
Presidential Jonathan and security personnel on his campaign train in
Katsina and Bauchi States, we equally find the recent peace summit
organised by Governor Seriake Dickson for over 250 Niger Delta ex-
warlords very untimely considering the counter threats from leaders of
this same group recently.”
“Nigerians will not forget in a hurry how Boko Haram developed from an
insignificant sect group to a world terrorist organisation after some
persons threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable at the outcome of the 2011
general elections, this gathering of people who have the capacity to
thwart the existin peace and tranquillity being enjoyed in the Niger-Delta
to us should not be deploy for any sinister motive against the Nigerian
State.”
“We thereby unequivocally wish to call on both traditional and religious
leaders across the country to engage actors from all parts of the country
to strengthen whatever peace undertakings are in place at the moment in
order to sustain the existing fragile between the various ethnic groups,”
they added.