The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has made a formal complaint against Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of Nigeria’s president, who during a rally in Calabar, Cross River State last week, called on PDP supporters to “stone” anyone who came to the state chanting change.
The letter of complaint signed by Rivers State Governor and Director General of APCPCO, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, will on Monday, 9 March be dispatched to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police (IG) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), among others.
According to Governor Amaechi, “Change, as the entire country must know by now, is the slogan of the APC – the rallying cry of a political party that wishes to bring hope of greater and better things to come for Nigeria and Nigerians. By her statement, Mrs. Jonathan was clearly calling on PDP supporters in Calabar to attack supporters and campaigners of the APC in the state.”
The APCPCO likened some of Mrs. Jonathan’s inciting statements and conduct during this political campaign season, to those of Mrs Simone Gbagbo, wife of the former president of Cote D’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo, prior to that country’s 2010 election. The ICC indicted Mrs. Gbagbo for her part in planning to perpetrate brutal attacks – including murder, rape, and sexual violence, on her husband’s political opponents in the wake of the 2010 election.
Mrs. Jonathan does not occupy any formal office in the Nigerian government, as the position of First Lady is not recognized by the Nigerian constitution. But Mrs. Gbagbo’s case shows the ICC’s awareness of how someone beyond formal governmental and military hierarchies can be identified as responsible for serious international crimes.
The APCPCO pointed out that Mrs. Jonathan’s incontrovertible hate speech not only contravenes the laws of the land, but also goes completely against the Abuja Peace Accord jointly signed by the two presidential candidates, General Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan – a gesture which is aimed at forestalling violence before, during and after the 2015 elections.
“PDP supporters in the state who may not know better could easily yield themselves to the First Lady’s admonition and embark on a process of wanton stoning and other attacks against APC members,” Governor Amaechi said.
The APCPCO also called on the Nigeria Police to put in place emergency measures to protect the life and property of APC members in Calabar and the entire Cross River State.
View Comments (26)
thief thief APC, we don no onaooo
first lady keep campaigning for our president don't mind the side distraction
APC you guys are just losers take it or leave it
APC have proven yet again through this action that it is worthy of the trust and investment of the masses in it as the platform to bring about the change we want in Nigeria. We are with you in this and we the people shall stand up and refuse to be disenfranchised by voting massively for Buhari, make the change count by standing for our rights - irrespective of whatever PDP, Jonathan, Mrs Jonathan throw at us. They have killed more than 34,500 of us, internally displaced millions, stolen our crude oil at 400,000 barrels per day (every day, even as I type) thereby accruing $60b+ of stolen wealth, stole $20billions+ from the remaining oil that was sold by NNPC...yet God has preserved us...we endured all these, we can endure whatever else they throw at us, brace ourselves and vote them out peacefully in few days time by massively voting for Buhari and doing whatever it takes to make the vote count. God is with us and they are on the wrong side of history.
APC leave the first lady alone and do your own campaign
APC madness is incurable. GEJ remains till 2019....no two ways about it. Have they reported GMB to ICC? He Who said NIGERIA WOULD BE AT WAR IF SHOULD HE LOOSE?
Deluded dreamers. You lots have continually insulted the president and his family yet no one's said a thing to you crazy lots. Why not go ahead and report your blood of the dog and baboon leader. Deluded Islamist criminals you all are in the APC.
Same APC that ve been insulting our president, husband of patience, calling him names such as clueless, useless, incompetent, weakling etc. Threaten to take power by fire by force even threaten to form parallel government, soak baboon and dogs in blood are reporting mama peace to ICC over insult.
Why does the APC keep disgracing Nigerians? This is Madness
Please these weaklings called the APC should shift to one side#GEJtill2019