Attacks on Jonathan: ‘This Nonsense Must Stop’, says Presidency

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Following the successive attacks on the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Katsina and Bauchi states by irate youth, the presidency has cautioned the opposition All Progressive Congress, saying “this nonsense must stop.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Rufai Alkali, said, Friday, 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 presidential candidates.

Mr. Alkali did not however provide evidence that APC supporters were behind the attacks.

The statement read: “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 build-up to the campaigns will subside.

“President Goodluck Jonathan who is also the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 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.

“The successive incidents in Katsina and Bauchi States where irate youth supporters of the APC unleashed a reign of terror on the convoy of the President is an ominous wind that blows no one any good.”

“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 will be made unsafe in any part of Nigeria is unacceptable and stands condemned.

“Were it not for the maturity and professionalism of the security personal 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,” he said.

Warning against reprisal attacks, the presidential adviser admonished APC leaders to caution their supporters.

He said, “Once more, we call on leaders of the APC on whose behalf these dastardly acts were 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 in 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 further accused the APC of whipping up sentiments and of engaging in divisive campaign.

“We shall not allow desperate people to distract us from our drive to connect with Nigerian people and lift them to greater heights. This nonsense must stop,” he said.