A statement by the President's Special Adviser on Media
and Publicity, Femi Adesina said that President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday
promised that his administration will make sure that all cases of political
assassination and kidnapping in the country are thoroughly investigated.
This promise was
made while addressing state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress who
visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Adesina said,
“I can confirm to you that the President did say during
the closed-door meeting he had with the APC state chairmen that his
administration will ensure that all cases of political assassination,
intimidation and kidnapping in the country are thoroughly investigated to
ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The President said the
cases will be investigated irrespective of the perpetrators’ political
affiliations.”
Buhari allegedly told the APC chiefs that he remained
committed to providing a level playing field for all Nigerians to get on with
their daily lives or participate in electing their leaders, without fear of
intimidation.
He also promised that his administration would
continuously strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system to curb the reign of
injustice and impunity in the country.
According to the statement, the President said,
“At every point, the law must be supreme and everyone
must respect the law, if our democratic system is to survive. Injustice cannot
survive for long. Justice will ultimately prevail. We will make sure that those
saddled with the responsibility of ensuring justice and equity do not rest on
their oars. The only way we can sustain our democracy is to ensure that the law
remains supreme at all times. If the law is upheld, people will have confidence
that they can vote for who they want to vote for, without intimidation or
threats.
“The police and the judiciary must ensure that justice is
done in the country. We won’t allow impunity to continue in certain states,
where the rights of the people are being violated. I have a personal commitment
to fair play and respect of personal rights. This government will do all that
is possible to enforce that.”
While recalling his address to the National Executive
Council of the APC on Friday, Buhari said now that the APC is the party in
government, it must lead by example and consolidate on the gains of a
democratic system.
The President urged political leaders in the country to
keep to prescribed legal processes for the resolution of political disputes and
not resort to violence and other forms of unacceptable behaviour in seeking
redress for any perceived injustice.
He also called on them to work with the party’s elected
officials to ensure that APC delivers on its promise of better living
conditions for all Nigerians.
The leader of the delegation and chairman of the APC in
Kano State, Umar Dogowa, reaffirmed their support for Buhari’s administration,
assuring him that they would uphold the values of the party, promote peace and
unity in the country.
The president made this declaration because some of the
chairmen in states controlled by other parties complained to Buhari of
political intimidation and harassment in their states.
Dogowa later told State House correspondents that the APC
chairmen were in the Presidential Villa to congratulate the President on his
election.
He said Buhari promised them that he would continue to be
a true party man and that he would not rest on his oars until Nigeria is back
on track.
