Nigeria is a nation of over 173 million citizens, with 54 years of independence. How then can few men hold us to ransom?
Firstly, I will tender my unreserved apologies to you my ever faithful readers for my inability to deliver to you in the past two weeks. There were events which hindered me from putting words down on paper. As you all know our country is in a very fragile state right now, and any slight spark could cause an explosion.
Putting this in mind I had to drop my articles after reviews because like you my esteem readers and many other Nigerians, I only aspire for the development of our country and not the bringing down of it.
But I completely cannot say this for some people as they have vowed to take away the peace we are enjoying in our country today if their brother, candidate does not win election.
On 14th January 2014, a Peace Bond (The Abuja Declaration Accord) was signed by 14 presidential aspirants (including Dr Goodluck Jonathan of PDP and Gen Muhammadu Buhari of APC) in the upcoming February General Elections during a workshop organised by the NSA in collaboration with INEC.
I will quote sections of the accord which consigns the candidates to:
- Refrain from making public statements, pronouncement, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence before, during and after the election.
- To forcefully speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence, whether perpetrated by supporters and/or opponents.
In a statement by the President at the meeting, he said “We must stop all this hate preaching, instigating crises, threatening others, provocative and inflammatory statements, whether they’re traditional or religious leaders or ethnic nationalities leaders”.
In the same light the envoy of the USA lead by the Secretary of States, John Kerry visited Nigeria on the 25th of January, 2015 to hold a meeting with the President Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, and other APC chieftains.
The aim of the visit was to affirm the position of United States on maintaining Pre and Post-Election Peace in the country.
Though, many have reacted to this as a form of threat from the United States. I think it a good measure to check our politician as to how they conduct themselves during and after the elections, knowing that most of them have investments running into millions in that part of the world.
Having established this foundation and pointing out the stand of Mr President, NSA, INEC, UN, and the U.S on violence before, during and after the February general election.
I will then point my compass in the direction of the Niger-Delta Warlords or Ex-Militants (as they are currently been addressed) who at different points in time had released statements aimed at rocking the boat of peace the nation is sailing.
Spear heading the threat campaign is the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Muhajid Dokubo-Asari.
His counterparts lending their voice to this call for war campaign includes; Government Ekpudomenowei aka Tompolo, Victor Ben Ebikabowei aka Boy Loaf. All of whom are enjoying the amnesty program of the Yaardua Administration.
The basis for their threats are that Dr Jonathan belongs to the Ijaw ethnicity a minority tribe in the country and the only one from the region ever privileged to rule as President and as such should be handed a second term in office without debates.
They claim the current clamour for change is just a plot to unseat the Ijaw serving President and is by direct implication an attack on the minority Ijaw tribe.
The most recent of such threats came during a meeting at the Bayelsa Government House in Yenegoa. Having in attendance the former militants and few of their generals, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, the Bayelsa State Governor and his deputy, the President of Amnesty Implementation Committee, and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
During the meeting the militants voiced their stand on the general election all pointing towards their resolve to get Dr Goodluck Jonathan back to the Aso Villa regardless of what it takes.
Speaking at the meeting, Asari-Dokubo charged those present to gear up for the impending battle, affirming that the President must win his re-election bid.
“For every Goliath, God created a David. For every Pharaoh, there is a Moses. We are going to war; every one of you should go and fortify yourself” the words of Dokubo at the meeting.
“Keep grudges and sentiments apart, we are ready to match them bumper to bumper” the words of Victor Ben Ebikabowei aka Boy Loaf also at the meeting.
They further threatened that should Jonathan lose the election they will unloose violence on the country and reclaim the “Niger Delta Oil” since it is the only thing keeping Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities together.
Asari Dokubo currently has numerous investments outside Nigeria, majorly in Benin Republic. His investment which keys mainly into education includes KAAU (King Amachree African University), a Football academy, Real Estate.
One might say Dokubo has nothing to lose and most likely a lot to gain in the event of a war, which to me is why he holds nothing back at every opportunity he gets to terrorize the tranquillity the country is enjoying.
I can but only get disturbed as stones and missiles are been aimed at the peace of the nation while the NSA, SSS and other security agencies burden with the task of protecting the peace and unity of the country folds their arms and look away from this threats as if they don’t exist.
With the Niger Delta militants already calling for war and challenging the northern insurgency (Boko Haram) to a battle of supremacy, I believe it is time for our security agencies to wake and get to work in achieving the task set before them.
The NSA and PDP few days ago called for the postponement of the February general elections due to security instability in the country significantly the North East Zone. While keeping mute as regard threats coming from the South South Zone.
While the NSA and other authorities are shying away from the impending danger from the South South Zone, some Nigerians are speaking out and calling the security outfits to their duty.
Notably is General Danjuma a former Minister of Defence. He last week called for the arrest of the militant warlords who are already threatening to rain brine and fire if President Goodluck Jonathan should lose the Presidential Election.
“Those are very reckless statements made by irresponsible individuals and they should be condemned. In fact, they should be arrested.” he said.
The threatening statements by the militants have in all ramifications kicked against what the Abuja Peace Accord was meant to achieve which is a violent free election.
Nothing worries more than knowing that despite all this threats the Federal Government is yet to react. Could it be that they are not aware of this threats or they are just intentionally throwing in a deaf ear?
Closing Thoughts
I believe that in their hours of slumber the militant warlords had forgotten that Dr Goodluck Jonathan is a Nigerian President, so they woke to the idea that he is an Ijaw President.
I think it is time someone brings them back to the reality that President Goodluck was elected by the Nigerian citizens to lead them, not by the Ijaws to fulfil their power dream, and that no amount of threat can cause the people of the country to change their decision during the 2015 General Elections.
We remain resolute to vote wisely. Let them bring hell.
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