Don't Arm Nigerian Youths – Amaechi Warns Politicians
Less than eight months before Nigerians go to the polls to elect their leaders, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has advised politicians against arming youths with dangerous weapon to perpetuate electoral violence.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Amaechi gave the advice at the launch of “Stop Kidnapping” campaign by the Police Command in Port Harcourt on Friday, 1 August, 2014.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, cautioned Nigerian politicians to desist from arming youths in order to realise their political ambition.
He said that as the 2015 general elections is closing by that any politician who arms Nigerian youths that “the guns will be turned against such politicians one day after the elections.’’
* Governor Amaechi
Amaechi said security agencies, especially the police, had performed creditably and assured that his administration would continue to partner with the command.
He advised the Federal Government to adequately remunerate police personnel what was due to them, adding that they could “put their lives on the line when they are paid well’’.
According to him, the fight against kidnapping can only succeed through the use of electronic device rather than physical means.
The governor said the campaign should be extended to all Police Divisions and local government areas in the state.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had announced in the beginning of this year that the 2015 elections would start next February.
Political crisis had marred general elections in Nigeria in the past. The most recent was the crisis that erupted after the cancellation of the 12 June, 1993, elections by General Ibrahim Babangida.
To avoid the crisis that happened over 20 years ago, political analysts have been imploring INEC to ensure that it conducts a free and fair election come 2015.
The presidential election is expected to be a keen contest between the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Both parties are yet to announce their candidates for the presidency but many people believe the incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would fly the flag of the PDP.
While APC's candidate is anybody's guess with only a couple of months before the party's primary expected to hold in October / November.
Source: Legit.ng
