Obasanjo, Governors, Ministers, Others Furious

Posted by admin Governors, Ministries, United Nations Saturday, August 27th, 2011

THERE was spontaneous anger among senior citizens, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, following the explosion, which rocked the United Nations building in Abuja.

Obasanjo, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, and the Governor of Abia state, Chief Theodore Orji, condemned the attack, saying the perpetrators should be fished out and brought to justice.

While the former president pleaded with the international community to stand by Nigeria at this trying moment, the deputy speaker accused the culprits of the heinous crime of a cowardly act.

Obasanjo, who spoke with newsmen on the telephone from Sierra Leone, said the attack was not in the best interest of Nigeria.

The deputy speaker said, “Human life is the most valuable asset on the planet and for some persons or groups no matter what grievances they bear, to cause the lives of fellow human beings to be destroyed in callous circumstances like the reported explosion is most reprehensible, unacceptable, and extremely condemnable”.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, described it as an attack on the international community, saying that the situation was under investigation.

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, expressed shock, saying it was a cause for concern for Nigeria.

While expressing disgust over the tragedy, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, the acting Director-General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), however, said it was a wake-up call for security agencies in the country.

He explained that the incident would not affect the nation’s demand for a UN Security Council seat, adding that, “the quest is based on criteria, not criminality as terrorism is not unique to Nigeria alone.”

The Ondo State government condemned the blast, describing it as not only reprehensible, but antithetical of all sane reasoning.

“We condemn this act of terrorism as unacceptable, anachronistic, retrogressive, reprehensible, odious, barbaric and against the commandment of God to shed lives and destroy property at will for base reasoning,” its statement stated.

Benue State governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam, described as an embarrassment, the bomb blast.

Also, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ababukar Baraje, condemned the blast.

He called on citizens to support President Jonathan and the government in the effort to “defend our democracy and freedom.”

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) sent its condolences to the UN and the families of the victims of the incident.

Also, a former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, condemned the attack, describing it as a calculated attempt to rubbish President Jonathan’s administration and discourage foreign investors from the country.

bombed is the peak of power in Nigeria which is UN headquarters. What happened today will affect the image of Nigeria to the extent that many countries will have the impression that Nigeria is not safe.” The effect of this bombing will affect the image of the Country-economically and socially.

The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) also submitted that the growing insecurity in the country showed that there was the need for urgent steps and proactive measures by the authorities to restore sanity.

IYC spokesperson, Jeremiah Owoupele said “President Goodluck Jonathan and his team must brace for the challenges: the Nigerian people need to be reassured that the government has the capacity to protect their lives and properties.

“Mr President must as a matter of national emergency come up with daring security protocol that will be preemptive and proactive. Nigerian must also be part of the process in information dissemination to enable security people to succeed.

“But above all, the President must understand the measures taken so far are not enough to combat these elements who have shown a consistency in their bracing display of

-Tribunewp_posts