Dr Ibrahim Liman of the ADC addressing newsmen at the NUJ secretariat in Sokoto
By ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
Ahead of the March 11 Governorship election, coalition of four governorship candidates in Sokoto have advised against using politics to destroy the State.
Addressing newsmen onTuesday at the Sokoto State Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the four governorship candidates expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the February, 25th Presidential election was conducted in Sokoto State.
The four governorship candidates include – Dr Ibrahim Liman (ADC), Comrade Aminu Umar (LP), Senators Umar Dahiru Tambuwal and Abubakar Gada of the NNPP and SDP respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the others, Dr Ibrahim Liman of the ADC, said they are concerned about public interest through peace, harmony, rules of law and against all acts of violence and lawlessness.
While noting that, their resolve for peace goes beyond whatever personal interest, Dr Liman said, they are equally not happy with recent political threats and incitement emanating from some supposed political leaders in the State.
“Accordingly, we hereby condemned in strong terms, the misguided utterances by some political leaders which amount to disregard to the laws of the land and are capable of inciting violence and lawlessness in the conduct of the ongoing general election.
“It is very sad, to note that prior to these utterances, acts of lawlessness including snatching of ballot boxes, use of local weapons and, intimidations were recorded during the last presidential election.
“We therefore, wish to appeal to the law enforcement agencies and the INEC to be more vigilant in monitoring the activities of all politicians and their supporters without fear of favour according to the oath they have taken and act appropriately whenever necessary”.
Giving reasons why people of Sokoto state must avoid being used as prey by such politicians, the four governorship candidates said: “Let us remind you people of our dear state that you are victims of poor performance by the political class.
“You do not know the whereabout of the dividends of democracy. You are destroyed and rendered backward, experiencing low quality of life, yet we have all it takes to develop in terms of both human and natural resources.
“Despite the ugly situation ad disappointment, you are further being invited to violence for negative motives towards lawlessness and irresponsibility, this is very sad”.
While decrying that no development is achievable in atmosphere of chaos, the four governorship candidates appealed to electorate in Sokoto not to be carried away by the antics of desperate politicians, adding, “there should be peace before, during and after elections””.
“It is our state. No need to cause uproar. As doing otherwise will affect everybody negatively”. They jointly submitted in there signed press release.
