THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South East zone, yesterday, joined
other Nigerians in condemning recent comments by former military head
of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, in which he threatened bloodshed if the
2015 elections were rigged, saying his statement was “incendiary and
bereft of patriotic intent.”
A statement by the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the zone, Col
Austin Akobundu (rtd), applauded the prompt response from the Presidency
and the party to Gen Buhari’s unfortunate outbursts.
It also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for showing restraint
against the heckling of opposition politicians aimed at distracting him
from prosecuting his transformation agenda.
The party said Gen Buhari’s unwarranted and provocative statement was
capable of inciting more violence in a country already racked by
serious security challenges.
The statement read: “We in the South East have good reason to be
apprehensive anytime political leaders try to stoke up sectarian
violence through inflammatory speech. Given our bitter experience, those
who employ violence to serve political ends are never caught in the
crossfire.
“Their victims, regrettably, have mainly been south easterners, youth
corps members, church worshippers, business people or innocent
bystanders.
“We call on our political leaders to guard their utterances and
eliminate the rhetoric of violence from their repertoire, so that peace
will reign. We need peace for development and progress.
“The South East PDP leader advised General Buhari to continue to lend
his voice to matters of national importance but should do so with the
measured tact of an elder statesman.
“Politics apart, it is impolitic for a person of his stately standing
and someone who has fought for the unity of this country to descend
into the arena of tendentious demagogy.”
The party, however, noted that since the 2011 elections were over,
everyone must now join hands with the man who won the popular vote,
President Jonathan, to move the country forward.
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