The Federal Government has frowned at the recent provocative utterances by two ex- Niger Delta militants that there will be war in the country if President Jonathan is not victorious at the forthcoming presidential election. Mujahiden Dokubo-Asari, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), and others said after a meeting in the Bayelsa State Government House that, “For every Goliath, God created a David. For every Pharaoh, there is a Moses. We are going to war. Every one of you should go and fortify yourself.”
Reacting to the remarks by the ex-militants, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, cautioned against inflammatory remarks. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, he said, “It is reprehensible for people to threaten this country with mayhem should their candidate lose the election . The President, Dr. Jonathan, has not left anybody in doubt as to his preparedness to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election.
“Mr. President has said that in the unlikely event of his losing the election, in the course of this exercise, that he was straight man enough, he was democratic enough to concede defeat.
“So, if Mr. President himself, who is the main contestant, who is the President of this country, who is the leader of the PDP(Peoples Democratic Party) has come out to say that he was going to ensure free and fair elections where the choice of Nigerians would be respected, I do not see where statements from supporters of either Mr. President or any political party for that matter should derail the course of this democratic movement.”
The comment by the ex-militants also received condemnation from a former Minister of Defence, Lt.Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, who called for their immediate arrest. However, one of the ex-militants, Tompolo, issued a statement through his Media Adviser, Paul Bebenimibo, dismissed Danjuma's comment, asking the former police chief why he did not condemn the stoning of President Jonathan’s convoy in Katsina and Bauchi states.
“Is Gen. Danjuma not aware of the peaceful atmosphere when Gen. Buhari visited Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states for campaign? Why is it that President Jonathan’s convoy was attacked in Kastina and Bauchi states without any provocation?
“Where was this so-called statesman when the APC campaign Director General, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, threatened to form a parallel government if Jonathan wins the 2015 elections?”
“Let Gen. Danjuma and his cohorts know that they will not see any Ijaw man, Igbo and others to fight on their side if the war that they are planning breaks out.
“And finally, Gen. Danjuma and his cohorts should know that I remain resolute on my position in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, that President Goodluck Jonathan must win this election for Nigeria to continue to stay together.”
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