=============================================================================== [This_Day_(Lagos)] ****** Nigeria: Jonathan Warns Rioters - Enough is Enough ****** Ahamefula Ogbu 21 April 2011 =============================================================================== In his toughest speech yet, President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday said he would no longer tolerate the spate of killings going on in some parts of the country following last Saturday's presidential election. He likened the series of "horrific" events to what obtained before the Nigerian Civil War and the June 12 crisis of 1993. Jonathan warned that "enough is enough" and promised to set up a commission of inquiry to probe its immediate and remote causes among other far-reaching measures he has adopted to address the issue. In a nationwide broadcast Thursday morning, he asserted that those fomenting trouble in the country aimed to truncate the democratic process especially the remaining governorship and State Assembly elections slated for April 26, 2011. Jonathan reminded the country that the effects of the Civil War were still being felt and the wounds yet to heal completely, adding: "If anything at all, these acts of mayhem are sad reminders of the events which plunged our country into thirty months of an unfortunate civil war. As a nation we are yet to come to terms with the level of human suffering, destruction and displacement, including that of our children to far-away countries, occasioned by those dark days." Apparently to stem the targeting of youth corps members who were used to conduct the elections by hoodlums who have been killing people in some states up North, the president directed that governors should take personal responsibility for their safety and condemned the killing of these set of people that were put in trust of the people in their areas of primary assignments. Jonathan said he had taken every possible step to ensure that he delivered free and fair elections in Nigeria in spite of a few challenges, but regretted that some misguided elements who lacked democratic finesse had formed themselves into groups that had struck with destructive force against the country. "They killed and maimed innocent citizens. They set ablaze business premises, private homes and even places of worship. In some cases, they showed utter disrespect to all forms of authority, including our most revered traditional institutions. They systematically targeted population groups. They singled out and harassed nationalistic politicians. They intimidated travellers. "The mobs also targeted government offices and facilities, especially those of INEC. They waylaid vulnerable youth corps members even though we all know that these young and innocent Nigerians are guests within our communities and are agents of public good and national unity. "We are shocked by these horrific acts which strike at the heart of our nation. These disturbances are more than mere political protests. Clearly, they aim to frustrate the remaining elections. This is not acceptable," he warned. He said the unwarranted killings and destruction of personal properties by miscreants had no justification and that he would not sit by and watch those constitutionally put under his care being mowed down and harassed to further the personal ambition of few individuals and emphasised that "enough is enough". He said that there was no grievance too much for the courts of the land to handle and that aggrieved politicians ought to have ventilated their misgivings than allow supporters to kill people and warned that he was going to take stiffer actions to protect the people and the laws of the land. "As president, it is my solemn duty to defend the constitution of this country. That includes the obligation to protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian wherever they choose to live. "I will defend the right of all citizens to freely express their democratic choice anywhere in this country; to enjoy every freedom and opportunity that this country can offer without let or hindrance. "I have ordered the deployment of security personnel to troubled parts of the country. I have also directed the reinforcement of security in all parts of the country. "I have authorized our security services to use all lawful means, including justifiable force to bring an immediate end to all acts of violence against our fellow citizens. "In view of the condemnable attacks on our gallant youth corps members, I have directed all state governors to take personal responsibility for their security and safety in the states where they serve. "I have directed that the perpetrators of these dastardly acts of violence and all those who seek to continue to breach the peace and stability of this nation must be fished out and made to face the full weight of the law. "In this regard, a Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be constituted to look into the immediate and remote causes of this recent tide of unrest," he said. [images/w260x.jpg] Anayo_Opara President Goodluck Jonathan waving to supporters. Jonathan appealed to religious and political leaders to put the national interest above personal interests and desist from using religious platforms to preach hate and spread disaffection but join hands to ensure that the remaining elections were successfully conducted while those from other parts of the country who might be victims of the attack to continue to show restraint even in the face of attacks. He assured Nigerians that despite the situation, the elections scheduled for next week would go on as planned and meanwhile urged Nigerians to go about their lawful duties without fear in their bid to build a nation everyone would be proud of. "To those who persist in sowing the seeds of discord, I say - You may hurt and bring grief to some innocent families momentarily, but you will never succeed in stopping our transformational journey: a journey that will lead this country, by the grace of God, to emerge stronger, more prosperous and more united," he said. 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