FG vows to unravel the cause of post election violence

Posted by admin Latest Politics Friday, May 20th, 2011

The Federal Government has admitted that the post election violence in some parts of the north is embarrassing saying it is part of the challenges Nigeria expects to face to realise true and sustainable democracy. It has therefore declared its determination to ensure that the brains behind the violence are brought to book.

Information and Communication Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku at a parley with newsmen in Lagos, Thursday, said as bad as the violence was, it would not in anyway erode the credibility of the elections.

He said the violence was an eye opener for the Federal Government to review its internal security system and make sure that nobody is allowed to abuse the law in whatever guise in future.

He said: “It is difficult to explain what happened, especially when those fighting won in most of the areas where this violence took place. But we are sure that certain things happen for us to learn. However, it is regrettable, especially when we lost a number of youth corps members in the violence. But I can assure you that this will not in anyway reduce the credibility of the election adjudged to be free and fair by both foreign and local observers.”

Soliciting the support of the media for the incoming government, especially in the area of the May 29, inauguration ceremony, Waku said, “it is only you, the Nigerian media that can project our goodness, our beauty and culture to the foreigners who think that the country is in war. Some of the foreign media thought Nigeria was going to be divided based on the last election and the pocket of violence recorded, but we are too integrated, we are unique people, bound by long existing unity. So, this recent violence will not push us apart.

“We have seen a sitting president assassinated in office. This did not lower the credibility of the nation. So, our post election crisis will not be different.

Today, a southerner from a minority region won the election in a landslide victory, this shows that our democracy is growing and becoming matured. It’s worth a celebration during the inauguration of the new government.

We want the media to give us the necessary support in this area and also formulate to us new agenda on how best the government will achieve its good desires for the nation and her people. The challenge to set agenda and monitor the activities of the government lies with the press,” he added.

-Vanguardwp_posts