2015 Election - Hold Jonathan, Buhari Responsible For Any Bloodshed

Agenda For Peace With Hamzat: 2015 Election - Hold Jonathan, Buhari Responsible For Any Bloodshed Written by Abdulrazaq O Hamzat (Mr Rights)

The 2015 election is around the corner and threats of war, attack and counter attack by supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari is being allowed to litter Nigeria’s political space without caution. It was and still on record, that supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan such as Asari Dokubo, Niger Delta Militants and others have been threatening to unleash miam on the country should the president loose the 2015 election. These open threats by supporters of the president were and still never cautioned by the president, neither did his party (PDP) or any security agency caution the war mongers. Indirectly, it seems the president and all security agencies agree with those making the threats on behave of the president. Although, president Jonathan says his ambition doesn’t worth the live of any Nigerian, but he specifically fail to caution or punish those threatening to take lives of fellow Nigerians as a result of his ambition. This deliberate silence by the president over threats of miam by the his supporters is an indictment because they say, silent means yes. As the chief security officer of the nation, how can the commander in chief watch his supporters threaten to cause war, should he loose in a free and fair election? Former militant and leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, had recently declared that President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition in 2015 was already settled, as his Niger Delta compatriots would not succumb to any force opposed to its full actualization. There would be blood in the streets if Mr. Jonathan is not reelected president in the 2015 election, the militant leader threatened. He had said: “I am ready and willing to help him in 2015 but there is something wrong with him (Jonathan), he has been hijacked by some people and he is not doing anything to remove them. Jonathan is not on course at all. Jonathan is destroying his presidency”. “For instance, he got to power majorly by the support of the social media that is the vehicle in which he was brought to power but as I am talking to you today, he has lost all his Facebook fans. He (Jonathan) is going down every day.” “How can he (Jonathan) deliver when everybody around him are sabotaging him?” He however added that, “My support for Jonathan will be biased, because charity begins at home. Monkey no fine, but im mama like am. Goodluck, na my person. 2015 is already a settled matter. Goodluck Jonathan would be President in 2015.’’ Asari Dokubo said. Asari-Dokubo in another interview with the National Mirror said the people of the Niger Delta would not accept even if Jonathan is defeated in a free and fair contest, adding that the President must be allowed to rule for eight years. According to him, “If it is war, the North wants, we are ready for them because Jonathan must complete the mandatory constitutionally allowable two terms of eight years. “At home, we have regrouped and we have put our people at alert". “Let them not try anything. If they abuse Jonathan, there is no problem, he is their President but anything that will affect the interest of the Ijaw people and the interest of the entire people of the Niger Delta will be resisted at any cost.” Asari-Dokubo also vowed that the defeat of Jonathan in a free and fair election would trigger crisis. He said: “Jonathan cannot be defeated, they cannot defeat him, they don’t have the right, every part of the country must have equal stake in the presidency of the country. Also, similar threats had been coming from some people in the north should a northerner not win the 2015 election. Although, those making these threats cannot be directly linked to General Muhammadu Buhari, but it was expected that since he his now the only northern candidate in the 2015 presidential election, he should lead in condemning those making such threats, but so far, he has also failed to do so. A northern political figure, Alhaji Lawal Kaita also insisted that a Northerner must emerge president of Nigeria by 2015 or there would be no Nigeria. Kaita said “We hear rumours all over that Jonathan is planning to contest in 2015. Well, the north is going to be prepared if the country remains one. That is, if the country remains one, we are going to fight for it. If not, everybody can go his way,” he said in an interview in Katsina. It was expected that, having participated in the civil war which is basically a war against separation of Nigeria, General Buhari would lead the way in condemning those threatening to lead the nation to division, but he kept mum over the matter. This is not a good example from a former head of state and military general. In view of the above, it should be on record that, if the 2015 election result to any bloodshed whatsoever, the two presidential candidates of People Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) would be held responsible for any bloodshed, as it would be assumed that those who carried out such destruction are direct supporters of either of the two candidates. Let me also assure that, nothing can divide Nigeria. The almighty that united the country won’t allow it divide. No amount of threat or violence can divide this beautiful union. Irrespective of threat or violence, this giant of Africa shall remain united to achieve the African dream, but those who unleash miam shall suffer the consequence of their actions. I therefore urged the Nigerian youths to avoid being used for any political violence or thuggery, as they would remain the victim of their own actions. All Nigerians should know that, the 2015 election is not a war, it is rather a time for decision on who leads Nigeria in the next 4 years. The decision we make in 2015 election is exactly what we would have to live with. Therefore, let us make our decision based on sincereity and truth, not on ethnic or religious sentiments. All those threatening the supporters of either of the two presidential candidates should desist from doing so in all parts of the country. Everyone is free to support any candidate of their choice. Let everyone support the candidate of their choice. Campaign should be done in a friendly manner not with threat,let no one engage in abusive or divisive campaign. Campaign shouldn’t be about ethnicity or religion, let it be based on issues not hate. I also urge the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible, free and fair election devoid of previous mal-practices. Let no one be dis-enfranchised or denied a chance to make input in who lead the country. I can assure that if the election is free, fair and credible, there wouldn’t be no any violence after the election. The perceived election rigging is usually the cause of post election violence. So, if INEC can conduct a free and fair election, there won’t be much challenges after election. Therefore, If you have not collected your Voters card, please go get yours now. Don’t be outside the decision makers. If you want the continuation of the present situation, vote in the PDP candidate and if you want a change from the status quo, vote the APC candidate. These are the only two candidates and one of them shall lead the country for the next four years. Its in my and your hands to decide. Vote not Fight. Follow the writer on twitter @Abdool101