Buhari to reopen cases of political assassinations and kidnappings

A statement by the President's Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said that President
Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday promised that his
administration will make sure that all cases of
political assassination and kidnapping in the country
are thoroughly investigated.
This promise was made while addressing state
chairmen of the All Progressives Congress who
visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Adesina said,
"I can confirm to you that the President did
say during the closed-door meeting he had
with the APC state chairmen that his
administration will ensure that all cases of
political assassination, intimidation and
kidnapping in the country are thoroughly
investigated to ensure that the perpetrators
are brought to justice. The President said the
cases will be investigated irrespective of the
perpetrators' political affiliations."
Buhari allegedly told the APC chiefs that he remained
committed to providing a level playing field for all
Nigerians to get on with their daily lives or
participate in electing their leaders, without fear of
intimidation.
He also promised that his administration would
continuously strengthen Nigeria's criminal justice
system to curb the reign of injustice and impunity in
the country.
According to the statement, the President said,
"At every point, the law must be supreme and
everyone must respect the law, if our
democratic system is to survive. Injustice
cannot survive for long. Justice will ultimately
prevail. We will make sure that those saddled
with the responsibility of ensuring justice and
equity do not rest on their oars. The only way
we can sustain our democracy is to ensure
that the law remains supreme at all times. If
the law is upheld, people will have confidence
that they can vote for who they want to vote
for, without intimidation or threats.
"The police and the judiciary must ensure that
justice is done in the country. We won't allow
impunity to continue in certain states, where
the rights of the people are being violated. I
have a personal commitment to fair play and
respect of personal rights. This government
will do all that is possible to enforce that."
While recalling his address to the National Executive
Council of the APC on Friday, Buhari said now that
the APC is the party in government, it must lead by
example and consolidate on the gains of a
democratic system.
The President urged political leaders in the country to
keep to prescribed legal processes for the resolution
of political disputes and not resort to violence and
other forms of unacceptable behaviour in seeking
redress for any perceived injustice.
He also called on them to work with the party's
elected officials to ensure that APC delivers on its
promise of better living conditions for all Nigerians.
The leader of the delegation and chairman of the APC
in Kano State, Umar Dogowa, reaffirmed their support
for Buhari's administration, assuring him that they
would uphold the values of the party, promote peace
and unity in the country.
The president made this declaration because some of
the chairmen in states controlled by other parties
complained to Buhari of political intimidation and
harassment in their states.
Dogowa later told State House correspondents that
the APC chairmen were in the Presidential Villa to
congratulate the President on his election.
He said Buhari promised them that he would
continue to be a true party man and that he would
not rest on his oars until Nigeria is back on track.
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