Buhari didn’t order killing of citizens, says Tinubu

Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressive Congress
(APC), has explained what President Muhammadu Buhari meant by
saying the live of anyone who snatch ballot boxes during elections
is at risk.

At a meeting of APC leaders in Abuja on Monday, Buhari said:
“Anybody who decides to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to
disturb the election, maybe that would be the last unlawful action
he would take… I have directed the police and the military to be
ruthless.”

The statement had generated different reactions from the public,
with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the
president had given the licence for citizens to be killed.

But speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, Tinubu
said Buhari’s directive is not for security agencies to shoot
indiscriminately but aim at only those who disrupt the electoral
process.

“I was in that meeting; the president was just reinforcing the
fact that if you you are out there snatching ballot boxes, and
causing destruction, you are at risk of your own life,” he
said.

“Whatever happens to you; no president will give an order that
his own citizens should be shot summarily. No! No, its okay,
emotions are running high these days. Any individual including
myself can be misinterpreted.

“These are not his words; he is a law abiding person and he
understands categorically and clearly what rule of law is and the
lives of individual citizens, that he is in that office to
protect.

“Now, let me run this; he has been fighting Boko Haram,
kidnappers and all these before this election, did you hear him
asking them to be shot and executed summarily? If he has gone
through that in the last five years, please give a benefit of the
doubt.”

Speaking on the postponed elections and INEC’s stance on
campaigns, Tinubu said the electoral act allows for campaigns 24
hours to elections.

“By law we should continue to energise our people; it depends on
our resources. Because the Electoral Act allows us to that; and ask
led us to stop campaigning only 24 hours before the actual
election,” he said.

“And once you have change the date to February 23, you have
given us the opening to campaign and energise. If you have a garden
and you don’t nourish with water, the grass will remain dormant; we
don’t want our party to remain dormant.

“This is ability of leadership to convert adversity to
opportunity and prosperity and that’s it; that’s what we must
do.”

On if the postponement cast doubt on the credibility of INEC,
Tinubu said, “It depends on how it is handled and the process. How
the process is managed; you can convert in crisis–a situation of
adversity to an opportunity and progress

“The INEC, under the law , they are empowered to postpone,
cancel and do whatever is necessary to ensure free and fair
election. No party no matter the anger, the disappointment, no
party can reverse that. So, we are ready for February 23.”