TheCable

The Niger Delta people under the aegis of the Niger-Delta Coalition (NDC) have rejected the threats of violence by ex-militants, Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo and Boyloaf regarding the outcome of President Goodluck Jonathan’s electioneering campaign.

The ex-militants had on different occasions, and specifically at a meeting in Bayelsa state in January, threatened to unleash violence on the nation if President Jonathan is not declared winner of the presidential election.

But the Niger Delta people have dismissed the threat, calling for peace instead.

In statement signed by Young Piero, coordinator of the group, the Niger Delta people also called for free, fair and credible elections, adding that whoever emerges as president should be supported by all Nigerians.

“With due respect to Nigerians and lovers of our beloved country, Niger-Delta Coalition (NDC) and joint members of the Delta Coalition for Change (DCC) disagree with the recent happenings and rumours in news and social media that no one in our region has the right to put a threat to our national security, following the recent threat of some of our Ijaw brothers, that if it is not President Goodluck Jonathan there will be no peace. If you have forgotten so quickly, remember that ‘Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable,'” the group said.

“We are standing on the part of justice for now that no one has the monopoly to carry out such threat against national security if the government of the day has the peace and sustainability of this great nation at heart. We are one Nigeria; let no one be troubled, pray for peace and free and fair elections, whoever emerges as the next president of the federal republic of Nigeria should be given the necessary support from the north, south, west and east of this great nation.

“You will agree with me that Nigerians need a corruption-free government; our experience this past years made us to understand completely that there is no easy walk out of corruption anywhere, many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires. We must be participants to make democracy work, not simply observers.

“One who does not vote has no right to complain. Democracy is built through open societies that share information; when there is information there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability. There is abuse of position, corrupt practices, subjugation and indignation; this is our government of the day.

“We are assuring Nigerians that there will be no breach of peace in the Niger-Delta on or before the general election of on March 28 and April 11, as we look forward to a free and fair election. The judiciary has clearly stated that the armed forces have no role in the general election, as such any attempt for military deployment to voting centres is sabotage to our judiciary.

“We assure Nigerians that measures have been put in place on our own part and we call on all political parties, candidates and their supporters to accept the true result of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) at the end of the polls for the peace, development and sustainability.”