The presidency on Friday cautioned the opposition party to rein its supporters following the attack on the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina and Bauchi States by alleged supporters of the All Progressives Congress.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof Ahmed Alkali, said in a statement captioned “This nonsense must stop,” that the action of APC supporters was a negation of the non-violence peace pact signed recently in Abuja by all the presidential candidates.
“When the peace pact by the Major Political Parties participating in the 2015 General Elections was signed, Nigerians heaved a great sigh of relief in the belief that the tensions stocked up in the buildup to the campaigns will subside.
“President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, blazed the trail in appending his signature to the historic document. General Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of other parties also signed, pledging a violence-free electioneering process and rejection of uncouth and inciting language.
“Unfortunately, while President Jonathan and the PDP have remained bound by the letters and spirit of the peace pact, supporters of the APC candidate have had a field day, violating all the terms of the pact and engaging in violence even on the person and entourage of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
According to Alkali, the successive incidents in Katsina and Bauchi States where irate youths unleashed terror on the convoy of the President was an ominous wind that blows no one any good.
The presidential aide added that a situation where any citizen of Nigeria, least of all the President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would be made unsafe in any part of Nigeria was unacceptable and stands condemned.
“Were it not for the maturity and professionalism of the security personnel on the convoy of the President, an ugly scenario provoked by these hooligans would have held sway. We commend the security agents for nipping the situation in the bud.
“Once more, we call on leaders of the APC on whose behalf these dastardly acts where executed to call their attack dogs to order, in order to avert similar reprisal measures by overzealous supporters of other Parties.
“President Goodluck Jonathan remains firmly committed to the peace pact and has successfully reigned his supporters to avoid violence or inciting statements. For him, His campaign remains a quest for the total transformation of Nigeria and not an egocentric or desperate struggle to assert himself,” he said.
