President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday handed down a warning to politicians in Nigeria to desist from acts that amount to political intimidation and kidnappings or that could lead to political assassinations, saying he would ensure perpetrators are severely dealt with irrespective of their political affiliations.
In a statement issued by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President gave the warning while addressing state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he told them that he is 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.
Buhari, who promised that his government would further strengthen the country’s criminal justice system against the reign of injustice and impunity in the country, added that 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.”
He said he has a personal commitment to fair play and respect of personal rights adding: “this government will do all that is possible to enforce that,” and stressing that the APC, as the party at the centre, must lead by example.
He appealed to the state chairmen to work closely with the party’s elected officials to ensure that the APC delivers on its promise of better living conditions for all Nigerians and further urged them to shun violence, criminality and other forms of unacceptable behaviour in resolving political disputes perceived injustice.
The leader of the delegation and Chairman of the APC in Kano State, Umar Dogowa, said their visit was to reaffirm their support for Buhari and his administration while assuring that they would uphold the values of the party, promote peace and unity in the country, and also ensure that APC elected members live to fulfill their promises to Nigerians.
Speaking with journalists later, Dogowa said President Buhari has promised them that he would continue to be a true party man and that he would not rest until Nigeria is back on track.
According to him, the President has said this is no longer the era of impunity and disobedience to rule and law.
