General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former head of state, has described the lingering crisis in Rivers State as “a sad development,” adding that if allowed to fester, it may truncate Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
This is as he warned political actors, both within and outside to state, to put an end to the crisis in the interest of peace.
Abdulsalami gave the warning during an interactive session with newsmen at his Hilltop residence in Minna, on Thursday, stressing that “in a democracy, there is a limit to what freedom is all about.”
According to the former head of state, “you have freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of expression and even freedom to ask questions, but your freedom stops where you are infringing on the rights of others.”
While congratulating Muslims in the country on the occasion of Ramadan fasting, Abdulsalami prayed that peace would return to the country.
“It is very important that we have peace. It is when there is peace that the people can really make a living. As a result of this, I pray that the good tidings of Ramadan will abide with all of us, so that peace will reign in this nation,” he said.
On the incidents in Rivers State, Abdulsalami said it was quite bad, while charging politicians to reflect on what they were doing in order not to truncate the democracy.
He disclosed that there was peace in both Sudan and South Sudan, adding that “he has been very much involved in ensuring lasting peace in both countries.”
“First and foremost, we have been making efforts and there is peace in North and South Sudan. South Sudan marked its second Independence anniversary four days ago.
“So we have been involved and trying to make sure that peace reign in their countries and that is what we have been doing on behalf of African Union (AU),” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment