Ahead of the Saturday rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections, Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC has backed President Muhammadu Buhari for giving ‘shoot at sight order’ to the Nigerian Armed Forces in attempt by anyone to snatch ballot boxes.
Buhari while addressing expanded National Caucus of APC Monday said, “I do not expect anybody to make any disturbance, I have briefed the law enforcemnt agencies and the military to identify hotspots , flash points, they should be prepared to move.
“They too would have made their own arrangement as possible and resources provided as much as the country can afford it. And anybody who decides to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to disturb it (elections) , maybe that would be the last unlawful action he would take. I have directed the police and the military to be ruthless”.
Oshiomhole at a press conference in Abuja said APC was proud of that pronouncement by Buhari and blasted Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for condemning Buhari’s declaration.
According to the APC National Chairman, Atiku wants to set Nigeria on fire to realize his presidential ambition as he is openly against peaceful election moves by Buhari.
“What the President said yesterday, we are proud that he has courage to say it and even greater courage to do it that he has instructed those who are responsible for the security and to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria which is the Nigerian Armed forces and the Police.
“That he has asked them to ensure that the environment is created to enable Nigerians to go out and vote without fear that thugs would attack them without fear, that some militants would attack them and that security agencies are going to keep thugs in check.
“No peace loving Nigerian can find fault with that. And I think it does exposed PDP for what they are and Atiku Abubakar as Vice President to Olusegun Obasanjo, I ask you to review your newspaper editorials, your front page pictures in 2003 general elections that was conducted by President Olusegun Obasanjo with Atiku as his number two man.
“I ask you to review all the coverage, both electronic and print of the election of 2007 and the number of Nigerians that were killed not by Soldiers, not by Police, they were killed by thugs.
“So there is no responsible candidate even to a House of Assembly who will find fault with any pronouncement that seeks to discourage thuggery in the coming election.
“So, for a man who is aspiring to preside over Nigeria to seek protection for thuggery, to seek protection for thuggery, he has already said he will grant amnesty to looters. Atiku Abubakar mission is to set Nigeria on fire just so that he can become President”, Oshiomhole said.
James Kwen, Abuja
