A group, The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria has come out openly to express displeasure over inflammatory comments and activities of some ethnic groups ahead of the 2015 general elections, stating that plans by the various groups to make Nigeria ungovernable after 2015 if their anointed candidate does not win election is not only -anti- democratic but a total contradiction of free, fair and transparent elections anywhere in the world.
The group which held a press briefing yesterday in Abuja to specifically address the attacks on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s campaign train in Katsina, Bauchi and some other parts of the north and the recent regrouping of ex-Niger Delta warlords in a peace summit at Yenegoa by Gov Seriake Dickson said these twin events
are signs that ethnic bigots are footing plans to visit the peace of the nation with violence and untold hardship based on their presumed outcome of the 2015 general elections.
According to Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi Shagari who spoke on behalf of the conference, in as much as Nigerians and observers of our democracy have unequivocally lambasted and condemn the unwarranted attack on the campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi States, we will not be fast to commend the peace summit organised by the Bayelsa State Governor, Serike Dickson knowing fully well that more than 200 ex-warlords like Asari Dokunbo, General Tompolo, Ateke Tom, General Ogunboss and a couple of ex-militants from Imo, Abia and Ondo States also attended the meeting at a time that members of the Ijaw Youth Council are threatening retaliating attacks on Gemeral Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress.
Loading ...The group warned that Nigerians must learn from history as Boko Haram which has caused us grievous national and economic damages is still believed by many as a product of inflammatory comments by north leaders to make Nigeria ungovernable should Jonathan wins in 2011 and rise up against any similar threats coming from the ex-warlords ahead of 2015.
According to COMTIN, Nigerians are not in anyway in doubt about the capacity of these repentant militants to resume kidnapping of expatriates, shutting down of oil infrastructure, vandalisation of government properties, bombings and other acts of hostilies but morality must prevail on every actor within the political space that Nigeria does not belong to any particular group and our collective existence should never be contemplated at the course of the journey.
They added that the recent peace pact signed by presidential candidates of the leading political parties in Nigeria has not yielded any positive results, therefore all gladiators must return home immediately to educate their followers on the need to implore democratic means on the outcome of the elections and not plunge the nation into war, anarchy and lawlessness for their selfish interest.
“The handwritng on the wall has clearly shown that the drums of war across the country is louder in rhythm than issue based campaigns that should ordinarily rule the political air space especially as we move very close to the general but unfortunately anti-democratic activities like stoning, violence, intimidation and even threats of war have become the order of the day.”
“It is on this note that as much as we condemn the violent attacks on Presidential Jonathan and security personnel on his campaign train in Katsina and Bauchi States, we equally find the recent peace summit organised by Governor Seriake Dickson for over 250 Niger Delta ex- warlords very untimely considering the counter threats from leaders of this same group recently.”
“Nigerians will not forget in a hurry how Boko Haram developed from an insignificant sect group to a world terrorist organisation after some persons threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable at the outcome of the 2011 general elections, this gathering of people who have the capacity to thwart the existing peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the Niger-Delta to us should not be deploy for any sinister motive against the Nigerian State.”
“We thereby unequivocally wish to call on both traditional and religious leaders across the country to engage actors from all parts of the country to strengthen whatever peace undertakings are in place at the moment in order to sustain the existing fragile between the various ethnic groups,” they added.
