The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for calm and restraint following recent reports of violent clashes linked to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia and Rivers states.
The APC, in a release signed yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said it regretted the incident at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Umuahia, Abia State capital, where some journalists were assaulted.
The party, which commended the Nigerian Army for tendering an apology and pledging to investigate the matter, stated that security agencies must adhere to globally-stipulated rules of engagement and laws governing their operations.
The party, however, said that the security agencies must be allowed to conduct their constitutional roles of securing lives and property without hindrance and provocation.
The APC also called on citizens, social commentators, media influencers and other stakeholders to be careful and mindful of their utterances on the clashes.
Stoking tensions by inciting utterances, hate speech and all other forms of awful propaganda, it added, will only push the country to the precipice.
Part of the release read, “When we see the devastation of the country’s North East by Boko Haram, the 1966 Nigerian civil war and similar conflicts in other countries, we are reminded of the effects of internal strife.
“We must not yield to elements beating the drumbeats of war. We owe the peace and unity of our dear country to the present and unborn generations. We must speak and stand up for peaceful coexistence on our social media platforms, places of worship and all other public spaces we belong.
“On the backdrop of recent agitations and actions which have the potential of undermining the unity of our country and our relationship across religious and ethnic divides, the party cautions that we must ensure that such agitations are peaceful and lawful.”
The party said it is in our collective interest to support and remain steadfast to the cause of a united Nigeria.
