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Fellow Citizens and compatriots,
Enough is Enough
By President Goodluck Jonathan
Newsdiaryonline Thur April 21,2011
Three days ago, I addressed you to express our pride on the
successful conduct of the Presidential Election. I said then
that we are all winners and that there are no losers. I believe
that I spoke the minds of most Nigerians, as well as men and
women of goodwill all around the world. We all came together for
a historic achievement and to celebrate the progressive march of
our democracy. I thank all of you who responded to my appeal on
that occasion to reach out to your neighbours with love; to keep
our nation united and strong.
This Administration had taken practical steps to ensure the
attainment of its goal of delivering free, fair and credible
elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
was reconstituted with credible and non-partisan people to the
acclaim of Nigerians and the international community. Despite a
few challenges, the new INEC has provided an atmosphere for the
conduct of credible elections right from the review of the
voters register to the Presidential elections which took place
last Saturday. Sadly, some misguided elements do not share in
the spirit of our democratic achievements. They formed into
groups of miscreants; and struck with deadly and destructive
force in some parts of the country.
They killed and maimed innocent citizens. They set ablaze
business premises, private homes and even places of worship. In
some cases, they showed utter disrespect to all forms of
authority, including our most revered traditional institutions.
They systematically targeted population groups. They singled out
and harassed nationalistic politicians. They intimidated
travellers. The mobs also targeted government offices and
facilities, especially those of INEC. They waylaid vulnerable
Youth Corps members even though we all know that these young and
innocent Nigerians are guests within our communities and are
agents of public good and national unity.
We are shocked by these horrific acts which strike at the heart
of our nation. These disturbances are more than mere political
protests. Clearly, they aim to frustrate the remaining
elections. This is not acceptable. If anything at all, these
acts of mayhem are sad reminders of the events which plunged our
country into thirty months of an unfortunate civil war. As a
nation we are yet to come to terms with the level of human
suffering, destruction and displacement, including that of our
children to far-away countries, occasioned by those dark days.
In recent years, we have also witnessed other acts of
intolerance, violence and destruction of human life perpetrated
by unpatriotic elements for no justifiable reason. Indeed, the
nation still bears some of the scars of other similar events
like the aftermath of the June 12th 1993 elections that brought
our polity to the brink. It is inconceivable therefore, that
there are some in our midst who seek to re-enact a stalemate in
the political process.
My fellow countrymen and women, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Democracy is
about the rule of law. It is to its credit, that in recent years
our judiciary has demonstrated great courage, fortitude and
independence in the discharge of its duties. There are,
therefore, no grievances that our laws and courts cannot
address. I have been in touch with all State Governors and
relevant security agencies. I have consulted with traditional,
religious and
political leaders who are also very disturbed by this trend of
events. As President, it is my solemn duty to defend the
constitution of this country. That includes the obligation to
protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian wherever they
choose to live. I will defend the right of all citizens to
freely express their democratic choice anywhere in this country;
to enjoy every freedom and opportunity that this country can
offer without let or hindrance. I assure all Nigerians that I
will do so with all powers at my disposal as President,
Commander-in-Chief. I have ordered the deployment of security
personnel to troubled parts of the country. I have also directed
the reinforcement of security in all parts of the country.
I have authorized our security services to use all lawful means,
including justifiable force to bring an immediate end to all
acts of violence against our fellow citizens. In view of the
condemnable attacks on our gallant Youth corps members, I have
directed all State Governors to take personal responsibility for
their security and safety in the States where they serve. I have
directed that the perpetrators of these dastardly acts of
violence and all those who seek to continue to breach the peace
and stability of this nation must be fished
out and made to face the full weight of the law. In this regard,
a Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be constituted to look
into the immediate and remote causes of this recent tide of
unrest. I urge all Nigerians to remain law abiding. I appeal to
parents to take full charge of their wards. We must not allow
anybody to use innocent youth as cannon fodder for the ambitions
of a few. Let us preserve the sanctity of the lives and future
of all of our children.
On behalf of all Nigerians, I express heart-felt condolences to
the victims of this violence. I lament the loss of lives;
destruction of means of livelihood; the burning of homes and
places of worship I appeal to all members of the political
class, leaders of thought and traditional rulers to continue to
put our national interest first at this critical time.
Particularly, I call on our religious leaders not to use the
sacredness of our places of worship to promote messages that
could lead to hate, disharmony and disaffection. Rather, we must
all at this time join
hands and support INEC in ensuring a successful conclusion of
the commendable work which they started. I appeal to all
communities around the country to show restraint in the face of
provocation. I urge all Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayers
for peace and tranquillity in our country.
I assure you all that calm is being restored in troubled parts
of the country and that the elections scheduled for next Tuesday
will go on as planned. All Nigerians should therefore go about
their businesses without fear and exercise their franchise on
April 26th to vote for candidates of their choice in the next
round of elections. To those who persist in sowing
the seeds of discord, I say – *You may hurt and bring grief to
some innocent families momentarily, but you will never succeed
in stopping our transformational journey: a journey that will
lead this country, by the grace of God, to emerge stronger, more
prosperous and more united. *Dear brothers and sisters, let us
continue to build a nation in which we all live
in peace. A nation where the bonds of our common aspirations and
goals will spur and re-energize our resolve towards greatness. A
nation where our children from North and South, East and West
will grow with hope and live together as brothers, sisters and
friends. Let us always remember that we are all part of a shared
destiny. I thank you all. God bless Nigeria.
STATEMENT
BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE POST-ELECTION
CRISIS IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY
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