Buhari To Reopen Cases Of Political Killings And Others

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday promised that his administration will ensure that all cases of political assassination and kidnapping in the country are thoroughly investigated.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted the President as making the promise 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 was said to have 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.

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 the chairmen and other political leaders in the country to keep to prescribed legal processes for the resolution of political disputes and not resort to violence, criminality 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 the 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.

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.

Punch reportage.