Concern at post-election bloodshed threats

Abuja - A pro-democracy organisation has condemned
the violence characterising the run-up to next month's
general elections.
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) raised concern
certain elements threatened millions of Nigeria with war
and bloodshed if results did not go their way.
"We condemn all attempts by politicians to incite
Nigerians against one another. TMG stands for the unity
and prosperity of Nigeria," said the group in a statement
signed by its chairman, Zikirullahi Ibrahim.
He said the group would work assiduously for the
achievement of the democratic aspirations of all
Nigerians.
TMG's views on the problem of violence in the political
terrain were in tandem with those recently expressed by
the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, he said.
Kerry, in a recent visit to Nigeria, sent a strong message
to the politicians to desist from acts capable of
instigating violence or face consequences.
TMG called on the government and the security agencies
to rein in all those who had openly threatened
bloodshed should the results of the elections not go
their way.
"We note with concern that the instigators of violence
and all kinds of threats against the State should their
wishes not be fulfilled, are getting bolder by the day,"
Ibrahim's statement read.
The group said apparent lack of deterrence from law
enforcement agents was emboldening such threats.
"While we remain resolute in insisting that the Nigerian
people will never be cowed by threats and the extremist
posturing of the poster boys of retrogressive politics, we
do not take these threats likely."
"We therefore call on the authorities to proactively
investigate these and ensure that those who are pushing
the polity to the brink through their intemperate rhetoric
are made to account."
Courtesy: news24
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