President Goodluck Jonathan on
Wednesday during the
Presidential Media Chat refused
to categorically condemn some
prominent Niger Delta militants
who threatened war should the
president be voted out of office
in the forthcoming elections.
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, leader,
Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer
Force; Victor Ben Ebikabowei,
aka, Boy Loaf; and Government
Ekpudomenowei, aka, Tompolo
had in January declared there
would be war if their kinsman,
Mr. Jonathan does not win the
elections during a meeting in
Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa
State.
Speaking Wednesday, the
president said provocative
statements were usually made
by “actors” surrounding
politicians, adding that such
statements might not actually
imply the intentions of the
politician contesting an election.
“You know the actors around
you can be carried away. These
people (ex-militants) made these
statements … based on ….you
know when they have been
carried away,” he said.
He said provocative statements
had been made by his
opponents, stressing they too
had threatened war.
Mr. Jonathan said he had been
careful in making statements,
being a sitting president.
“The issue of insecurity is
beyond Boko Haram,” adding
that “Politicians are instigating
some young people to act in
ways not expected.”
He however said Nigeria will
not go to war.
“Nobody will go to war. Nigeria
will remain Nigeria,” the
president said. “My plea is that
without Nigeria, there will be
no president.”
But Mr. Jonathan categorically
refused to condemn the threats
by Mr. Dokubo and the others.
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