A group of ex-militants from Niger Delta on the platform of Niger Delta Coalition (NDC) and Delta Coalition for Change (DCC) yesterday dismissed fears and claims that the region will be thrown into violence if President Goodluck Jonathan loses the March 28 election.

They insisted that Nigeria is bigger than any individual, maintaining what Nigerians want is a credible election that its outcome will truly reflect the wish of the electorate.

The associations, in a joint statement, advised that threats by some ex-militants that there would be no peace if Jonathan loses, should be disregarded. They warned, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

The statement which was signed by Young Piero and Peters K. Asuluwa, who claimed to be ex-militants, said major steps to ensure peace have been put in place in the region. They called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to accept the outcome of the elections.

The statement reads: “We are assuring Nigerians that there will be no breach of peace in Niger Delta on or before the general elections of on March 28 and April 11, as we look forward to free and fair elections, the judiciary has clearly stated that the military has no role in the exercise, as such, any attempt for soldiers’ deployment to voting centres is a sabotage to our judiciary.

“We are standing on the part of justice for now that no one has the monopoly to carry out such threat against national security if the government of the day has the peace and sustainability of this great nation at heart. We are one Nigeria, let no one be troubled, pray for peace and free/fair election, whoever emerges as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be given the necessary support from the North, South, West and East of this great nation.

“You will agree with me that Nigerians need a corrupt-free government, our experience these past years made us to understand completely that there is no easy walk out of corruption anywhere, many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires, we must be participant to make democracy work, not simply observe.

“One who does not vote has no right to complain, democracy is built through open societies that share information when there is information there is enlightenment, when there is debate, there are solutions, when there is no sharing of power, no Rule of Law, no accountability. There is abuse of position, corrupt practices, subjugation and indignation, this is our government of the day.”

•Adapted from a Daily Sun report. Photo shows President Jonathan.

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