President Goodluck Jonathan has warned election trouble makers to have a rethink because they will be fished out and summarily dealt with according to the laws of the land, stressing that as Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, he would never abdicate his responsibility of protecting the lives of all Nigeria.
“Let me warn, however, that as President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am under oath to protect the lives of all Nigerians and the security of our country at all times. I will never abdicate my responsibilities in that regard.”
In an early morning nation-wide Radio and Television broadcast today ahead of tomorrow’s Presidential election, the President further warned those “who may harbour any intentions of testing our will by unleashing violence during the elections in order to advance their political ambitions should think again as all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that any persons who breach the peace or cause public disorder during or after the elections are speedily apprehended and summarily dealt with according to our laws.
“The nation’s security agencies are also fully prepared and ready to deal decisively with any group or persons who attempt to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections or cause any form of public disorder.”
President Jonathan restated his belief that no political ambition can justify violence or the shedding of the blood of the people even as he reaffirmed his personal preparedness to ensure fair play during the elections and to deploy the resources and institutions of state only in the manner prescribed by our laws.
He stressed that tomorrow’s election will offer Nigerians another opportunity to empower leaders of their choice once again, and to show the world that genuine democracy is alive and well in the country.
The President acknowledged that democracy allows dissent and encourages differences and even fervent disagreements, but that elections must never be mistaken for war or an opportunity to set fellow citizens against each other and tear the country apart.
He reminded Nigerians that Nigeria is the largest democracy amongst black nations of the world, adding: “we are a nation of great accomplishments, with a proud history of evolving affinities.
“Let us go out tomorrow to vote peacefully and set a fitting example of political maturity for other emerging democracies to follow.
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