Buhari talks tough on political killings

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to thoroughly investigate all cases of political assassinations, intimidation and kidnappings in the country and bring the perpetrators to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations.

The president, who gave the assurance while addressing state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a parley at the Presidential Villa, declared that he remained fully 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.

Although it wasn’t clear if he intends to probe previously unresolved cases of high-profile assassinations such as those of elder statesman and NADECO financier, Pa Alfred Rewane (1994); former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige (2001); former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) chieftain, Chief Harry Marshall (2003) and former National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-south, Chief Aminasoari Dikibo (2004) alongside recent incidents, he said his administration would continuously strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system to curb the reign of injustice and impunity.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, 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.

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He added: “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. People must have protection to exercise their rights freely or we could be headed for anarchy.

“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.”

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