“We hereby condemn, in strong terms, the misguided utterances by some political leaders, which amount to disregard to the laws of the land and are capable of inciting violence and lawlessness in the conduct of the ongoing general election”
By Abdallah el-Kurebe
ASHENEWS reports that four political parties in Sokoto state: the Action Democratic Party (ADC), the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), have condemned alleged misguided utterance by leaders of major political parties, and capable of compromising peaceful elections during the March 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.
This online platform further reports that the governorship candidates of the parties: Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Liman, Aminu Umar, Sen. Umaru Dahiru Tambuwal, and Sen. Abubakar Umar Gada, respectively, stated this at a press conference they addressed in Sokoto on Tuesday.
ASHENEWS reports that the political atmosphere in the state has been tensed by some utterances considered as capable of creating chaotic political situations.
According to them, the condemnation became imperative “following unfortunate utterances and attempts to justify lawlessness by prominent stakeholders of some opportune political parties in Sokoto state.
“As patriotic citizens who are concerned with public interest, we are totally against violence and lawlessness. Peace, harmony, and rule of law are paramount and above all interests and therefore shall never be compromised for whatever motive a group of people may have.
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“We hereby condemn, in strong terms, the misguided utterances by some political leaders, which amount to disregard to the laws of the land and are capable of inciting violence and lawlessness in the conduct of the ongoing general election.
“It is very sad to note that prior to these utterances, acts of lawlessness including snatching of ballot boxes, use of local weapons, intimidations, are were recorded during the last presidential election,” the text of the state reads.
The party candidates appealed to security agencies to be watchful of the activities of those politicians as well as their supporters.
“We, therefore, appeal to the law enforcement agencies and the INEC to be more vigilant in monitoring the activities of all politicians and their supporters without fear or favour according to the oath they have taken and act appropriately whenever found necessary.”
They also called on the people of the state to be wary of the politicians, who were poised to incite them to violence for negative motives towards aimlessness and irresponsibility.
“Let us now remind you the people of our dear State that you are victims of poor performance by the political class. You do not know where about the dividend of democracy.
“You are destroyed and rendered backward experiencing low quality of life, yet we have all it takes to develop in terms of both human and natural resources.
“Despite the ugly situation and disappointment, you are further being incited to violence for negative motives towards aimlessness and irresponsibility, this is very sad.
“You should use every opportunity before you to bring about positive change. Support and vote wisely and most importantly shun violence, avoid intimidation and never take laws into your hands,” the statement further reads.
The candidates also appealed “to our supporters specifically and all well-meaning citizens of Sokoto State in general to embrace peace and harmony as both civic responsibility and moral obligation. This is preached by all religions, all traditions and all civilizations.”
