#NigeriaDecides2019 | Electoral violence: Atiku calls for calm

Following the reports of violence and death in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called for calm across the country.

In a statement personally signed by him, issued in Abuja on Sunday, he noted that it had come to his knowledge that a number of Nigerians citizens were verified, by local and international observers, to have died during the exercise.

According to him, even more, citizens have been wounded, maimed or in some way affected by the violence perpetrated by some misguided persons in our midst.

The former Vice President said. “My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the departed and those affected by the violence. I have also initiated steps to assist those in need of medical or other assistance.

“Even one death is too much for me to accept. I hold the life of every Nigerian and indeed everyone one in Nigeria as sacrosanct.

“I call on all Nigerians to remember the words of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which I quoted on February 13, 2019, “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian”.

“And it is not just my ambition. I amplify that statement today and declare to Nigeria and the world that NOBODY’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen. Nobody means nobody.

“As Nigerian citizens, the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress and any other party are our secondary identities. I have every reason to be proud of my party,  but this is not about PDP. Today, my party and your party should be in Nigeria.

“As such, I call for an end to all violence. I also call for an end to every rhetoric that promotes violence.

“I urge all Nigerian citizens not to take the law into their hands. All previous violence is condemnable. There must be no form of violence from now. Peacefully resist any attempt to undermine democracy and refrain from acts capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order.

“Let me say without mincing words that any order to use any form of violence against any Nigerian citizens that is unknown to our laws and our constitution is an illegal order.

“The lives of all Nigerians matter to God and to me. I repeat the lives of all Nigerians matter to God and to me.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel and I urge all Nigerians to turn to away from darkness to that light.”

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