The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has entreated Nigerians not to yield to elements beating drums of war in the country.
The party said Nigerians must instead stand up and speak with one voice for peaceful coexistence and in the interest of the present generation of Nigerians and those yet unborn.
The party made the appeal while reacting to the recent clash between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the military.
In a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Wednesday, the party asked the military toadhere to globally-stipulated rules of engagements and laws governing their operations.
It condemned the attack on the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) in Umuahia, the Abia State capital and applauded the quick response of the army high command in tendering an apology to the affected Journalists.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) calls for calm and restraint following recent reports of violent clashes linked to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia and Rivers State,” Abdulahi said.
“The Party also regrets the incident at the National Union of Journalist (NUJ) Secretariat in Umuahia, Abia State capital, where some journalists were assaulted. Commendably, the Nigerian Army has tendered its apology and is investigating the matter.
“While the Party insists that security agencies must adhere to globally-stipulated rules of engagements and laws governing their operations, we must allow our security agencies to conduct their constitutional roles of securing lives and property without hindrance and provocation.
“We also call on citizens, social commentators, media influencers and other stakeholders to be careful and mindful of their utterances on the clashes. Stoking tensions by inciting utterances, hate speech and all other forms of awful propaganda will only push the country to the precipice.
“When we see the devastation of the Country’s North East by Boko Haram, the 1966 Nigerian civil war and similar conflicts in other countries, we are reminded of the effects of internal strife.
“We must not yield to elements beating the drumbeats of war. We owe the peace and unity of our dear country to the present and unborn generations. We must speak and stand up for peaceful coexistence on our social media platforms, places of worship and all other public spaces we belong.
“On the backdrop of recent agitations and actions which have the potential of undermining the unity of our country and our relationship across religious and ethnic divides, the Party cautions that we must ensure that such agitations are peaceful and lawful. The Party reiterates its belief that it is in our collective interest to support and remain steadfast to the cause of a united Nigeria.”
