The National Coordinator, Atiku Abubakar Media Vanguard Hon. Peresine Watchman has condemned in strong term the threats message to the life of the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leading Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON and that of his family if he refuses to drop his presidential ambition.
In a Press Statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, September 15, 2018, after a brief meeting with the National Director of Contact and Mobilization, Hon. Bulletproof Otuaro and some Executive Officers of AAMV in Warri, Delta State, to evaluate the context of the threats message sent to one of the daughters of their Principal, the AAMV Boss said that the federal government should not allow some callous and thuggish elements to cause mayhem in Nigeria.
He stated further that it was the constitutional right of Atiku and every other Nigerian citizenry to aspire for the highest political office in Nigeria, and no progressive mind in Nigeria would threaten him for exercising his constitutional rights.
Peresine said “In a Democratic setting, there is freedom of expression and association and Dr. Atiku Abubakar by the law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as (amended), has the right to contest, to vote and be voted for.
Threatening him to withdraw from the 2019 presidential race or he and his family members will be assassinated by some criminal and thuggish elements, is the madness of the highest order, which President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government should not take for granted.”
He said “we, the members of Atiku Abubakar Media Vanguard nationwide join our voice with the voices of our Principal and well meaning Nigerians, to call on President Buhari to immediately direct the law enforcement agencies – the Police, DSS, and other relevant bodies to carry out thorough investigation and bring the culprits to book.”
“We would also want to believe that Mr. President’s silence on this issue after three days of Waziri Adamawa petition will result into accusations and counter accusations as it is expected that Mr. President should have made a strong statement to condemn this and give immediate directives to the security agencies to go into actions to provide more security for our Principal and his family, as well as swinging into action to investigating this matter of grave national security threat.”
“Mr. President should be told that if he takes a threat to the life of a former Vice President and leading Presidential aspirant of a major opposition party in Nigeria and that of his family lightly, Nigerians will be left with no choice but to point an accusing finger at him and his party, whereas he may not be responsible for such evil plots from the pit of hell.
It’s possible an aspirant within PDP or from another political party may be responsible for this threat message because of the general acceptability of Atiku in every part of Nigeria, but we may be forced to accuse Mr. President and his party if the federal government fails to fetch out the culprits to face the full wrath of the law.”
President Buhari should ensure that the lives of all presidential aspirants/candidates and their families, as well as all Nigerians are adequately protected, and he should follow Democratic principles in his dealings, in order not to lead Nigeria into anarchy and balkanization.
“I urge all supporters of the Waziri Adamawa not to relent, lose focus and discourage, but be fervent, resolute and prayerful.
I believe strongly that PDP delegates will do the needful and Atiku will clinch the PDP ticket to defeat other political parties candidates in the general elections,” Watchman said.
Hon. Presume Watchman
National Coordinator
AAMV
