The Presidency have condemned the burning of vehicles belonging to Goodluck Jonathan Campaign organisation in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Two buses belonging to the organisation were destroyed and burnt down at Zololo Junction along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday by persons allegedly shouting “Sai Buhari” and “Baba Buhari oyoyo.”
In a statement on Sunday, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Affairs, Rufai Alkali, said the burning of the vehicles has demonstrated the level of the desperation of the opposition and their plot to intimidate others out of the political space.
NewsWireNGR recalls that supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC on their way to the Buhari rally were shot at and some critically injured but Alkali’s statement failed to acknowledge the Port Harcourt violence in his statement.
Alkali said, “We have observed a dangerous trend of politically motivated violence unleashed on innocent Nigerians by supporters of those who have shown desperation to assume political power at all costs,” Mr. Alkali said.
“While we are not surprised by acts of desperation already shown by these people who have no articulate agenda for nation building, we are amazed at how quickly they are willing to manifest their evil intentions on our dear country.
“The incidence in Jos, Plateau State where our campaign vehicles were torched by irate youth supporters of the APC underscores the need for vigilance as we progress towards the General Elections. This criminal behaviour, which is meant to intimidate others and deny them their freedom of choice, stands condemned.”
The presidential aide added that “In carrying out this unpatriotic behaviour, they wish to first of all discredit the electoral process and set the stage for an orgy of violence once they fail in the elections.
“Nigerians are well aware of these antics and are fully prepared to protect their rights to freedom of choice.
“We condemn the acts of violence in Jos, Plateau State and also condemn the threats to violence in every other part of the country.”
“We invite law enforcement agencies to note the pronouncements of desperate politicians who are bent on fanning the embers of hate and threaten the peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections.
“We once more wish to reiterate the commitment of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to a peaceful and rancour free electoral process. He has said times without number that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
Mr. Alkali also called on the members of the PDP and supporters of the president to exercise restraint and show maturity even in the face of extreme provocations.
