Tukur to Asari Dokubo: stop threatening war over 2015 poll

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has cautioned ex-Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, and others threatening to go to war if President Goodluck Jonathan does not get re-elected in 2015.

Speaking with reporters at the party’s secretariat yesterday, Tukur said it is wrong for anyone to make such threats over election, adding that democracy is about people making a free choice through the ballot.

Former Niger Delta militant, Dokubo and the Special Adviser to the President, Mr. Kinsley Kuku, were in separate statements penultimate week, quoted to have said that the people in the Niger Delta region would go to war if President Jonathan failed to secure re-election in 2015.

Tukur said there was no reason for such threats as the present administration would guarantee free and fair elections.

He stressed that election is a competition in which the people are allowed to freely choose their leaders at the poll.

According to him, in a free and fair election, there is no reason for losers or any group to threaten war if their preferred candidate does not win.

He said: “Elections should be a free and fair affair. So, it is wrong for anyone or group to threaten to go to war over election. It is about people making their choice.

“Everyone is free to offer himself for election, but it is the duty of the people to choose whoever they want.”

The party chair described the ongoing merger arrangement among opposition parties as a healthy development for the nation and its democracy, stressing that political groups should be allowed to express their wishes and preferences.

“But let us wait to see their manifesto whether it will address the wishes, fears and expectations of the Nigerian people,” Tukur added.

He said under the PDP government, every political group or association has the right to express its wishes, adding, however, that in doing this the unity and stability of the nation should be treated as sacrosanct.

Tukur said the PDP cannot pretend to be the only party in the country, although it has its presence in the 774 local governments.

Said he: “The PDP government will continue to provide a level playing field. That’s how to ensure justice, equity, patronage and progress. We are not distracted by the activities of the merging opposition parties.

“The PDP will find out what other parties are doing and make adjustments to serve Nigerians better.”