TheCable

Joshua Maciver, deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, has come under fire for inflammatory remarks on the campaign trail. 

Maciver spoke at a campaign rally on Sunday evening in Twon Brass, a community in Bayelsa.

“On the 11th, don’t joke with anybody, if anybody misbehaves in Twon Brass, chase away, enter the sea make him die. Una dey hear? Chase am make him die. After all, he won’t be the first person to die,” he said in a blend of English and Pidgin.

“This time around, when we take it (governorship), we are taking it for final.”

These comments are in a clip that has since gone viral.

A court had disqualified Maciver and Timipre Sylva, Bayelsa APC gubernatorial candidate, on the grounds that the latter has been sworn in as governor twice.

They appealed the verdict and the appellate court has reserved judgment on it.

In a statement on Monday, a group known as the Bayelsa Women Arise said the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) should take necessary action against Maciver.

Ebibaratimi Atani, publicity secretary of the group, said there is a need for security agencies to assure the people that they are safe.

“Such statements are not only unbecoming of a political candidate but are also a direct threat to the democratic process, which is built on the principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for the rights and choices of the citizens,” Atani said.

“Therefore, we, as concerned citizens and advocates for peace, justice, and a fair electoral process, strongly condemn these reckless remarks and call upon the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to take immediate and decisive action to reassure voters of their safety.

“It is the duty of law enforcement agencies to protect the lives and property of all citizens, and we believe that failure to address this issue promptly would set a dangerous precedent for our state’s political climate.”

She said it is important for politicians to promote peaceful coexistence among the people.

Here are some comments on X disproving of the remarks.

Bayelsa Election: Police should arrest Maciver for instigating violence

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The trending video about Joshua Maciver, disqualified Deputy Governorship candidate of APC calling on their supporters in Twon-Brass to kill anyone not willing to vote for them is most despicable.

Insanity… pic.twitter.com/ZQJbePS5bR

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— First Asiwaju Of Egbaland. (@mosky101) October 30, 2023

Bayelsa Guber Poll: This is truly out of the line. So unethical. God forbid. APC deputy governorship candidate, Great Joshua MacIver instigating violence during a campaign in Twon Brass.

Are we going into a warfare or election? pic.twitter.com/kWvu5Pjwqj

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— SALMON EBIOWEI JNR (@salmon47923) October 30, 2023

Bayelsa Election: Police should arrest Maciver for instigating violence

The trending video about Joshua Maciver, disqualified Deputy Governorship candidate of APC calling on their supporters in Twon-Brass to kill anyone not willing to vote for them is most despicable. pic.twitter.com/z2B3fZ774T

— Williams Bitere (@iambitere) October 29, 2023

#BayelsaElection: @PoliceNG should arrest Maciver for instigating violence

The trending video about Joshua Maciver, Deputy Governorship candidate of @OfficialAPCNg calling on their supporters in Twon-Brass to kill anyone not willing to vote for them is most despicable.#Nigeria pic.twitter.com/3I2ynaFylL

— King Kuro Okorowanta (@realKingKuroO) October 29, 2023