The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that whoever rigged the 2019 general elections should be ready to die was a violation of Nigerian laws.
Dogara, who addressed a press conference on Monday in Abuja, argued that Nigerian laws have provided sanctions for electoral offenders, adding that Buhari’s speech was a call for extra-judicial killings in the country.
Dogara also dispelled claims by the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole that INEC connived with the PDP to postpone last week’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“In this context, we categorically deny these false claims and unnecessary blackmail and regard the President’s statement as a call for extra-judicial killings considering the fact that there are adequate provisions in our laws to address electoral offenses.
“These statements clearly indicate that our democracy has become the victim of a full blown dictatorship, when one considers that a democratically-elected President would give a directive that is in clear violation of the laws of the land which by his oath of office he is to defend and protect.
“In view of this statement by the President, it is obvious that the military has been given a central role and co-opted into the conduct of the election despite the fact that they have no constitutional role in our electoral process,” Dogara said.
Dignitaries at the press conference include a former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke; former Ministers of Special Duties and Aviation, Tanimu Turaki and Osita Chidoka.
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