President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that any case of political assassination, political harassment and intimidation of any Nigerian is thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators speedily brought to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations.
President Buhari spoke in Abuja when State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited him at the seat of power.
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted him as saying that “at every point, the law must be supreme and everyone must respect the law, if our democratic system is to survive.”
The security agencies have failed to unravel several cases of political assassinations in the country.
These include the December 23, 2001 murder of the then Attorney General of the Federation/Justice Minister, Chief Bola Ige, in his Ibadan residence, the March 5, 2003 killing of the Deputy National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Harry Marshall in Abuja, and the July 27, 2006 killing of a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Chief Funso Williams at his Ikoyi residence.
Also not resolved yet are the killings in Ekiti State of Mr. Tunde Omojola (2005), Dr. Ayo Daramola (2006) and Kehinde Fasuba (2009).
Speaking further yesterday Buhari said: “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.”
He said that he remained fully 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.
The President said that his administration will continuously strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system to curb the reign of injustice and impunity in the country.
The police and the judiciary, he stressed, “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.
“I have a personal commitment to fair play and respect of personal rights. This government will do all that is possible to enforce that.
“My address to National Executive Council of the APC was very clear. We are now in the frontline. We are the party in government. We must lead by good example and consolidate on the gains of our democratic system,’’ he said.
Buhari urged the APC State Chairmen and other political leaders in the country to keep to prescribed legal processes for the resolution of political disputes and never resort to violence, criminality and other forms of unacceptable behaviour in seeking redress for any perceived injustice.
He also called on the state chairmen to work with the party’s elected officials to ensure that the APC delivers on its promise of better living conditions for all Nigerians.
The leader of the delegation and Chairman of the APC in Kano State, Umar Dogowa, said that the APC State Chairmen were on a visit to the Presidential Villa to reaffirm their support for President Buhari and his administration.
Also yesterday, Buhari said that the Federal Government will not negotiate with the terror sect, Boko Haram, from a position of weakness.
But he also emphasized that government will not shy away from any negotiation initiated by Boko Haram.
Adesina, in a statement entitled ‘Amplification of comments on negotiations with Boko Haram’, pointed out that the Americans also negotiated with the Talibans in Afghanistan at some point in time.
He said: “Most wars, however furious or vicious, often end around the negotiation table. So, if Boko Haram opts for negotiation, the government will not be averse to it.
“Government will, however, not be negotiating from a position of weakness, but that of strength. The machinery put in place, and which will be set in motion soon, can only devastate and decapitate insurgency.
“It is multinational in nature, and relief is on the way for Nigeria and her neighbours. President Muhammadu Buhari is resolute. He has battled and won insurgency before he is poised to win again. It is a promise he made to Nigerians, and he is a promise keeper.
“But I say again, if the insurgents want to negotiate, no decent government will be averse to such. Didn’t the Taliban and Americans also negotiate in Afghanistan?”
