President Goodluck Jonathan announced Thursday that a judicial commission of inquiry would be set up to find out the immediate and remote causes of the post-election violence in some parts of the north, which left dozens dead, hundreds injured and thousands displaced. In a broadcast to the nation, the President also directed that those behind the violence be fished out and made to face the full weight of the law; and authorised the security services to use all lawful means, including justifiable force, to bring an immediate end to all acts of violence. He also ordered the deployment of security personnel to the affect areas, and the reinforcement of security in all parts of the country. President Jonathan said the ‘groups of miscreants struck with deadly and destructive force’ in some parts of the country, killing and maiming innocent citizens.
‘They set ablaze business premises, private homes and even places of worship. In some cases, they showed utter disrespect to all forms of authority, including our most revered traditional institutions. They systematically targeted population groups. They singled out and harassed nationalistic politicians. They intimidated travelers.
‘We are shocked by these horrific acts which strike at the heart of our nation. These disturbances are more than mere political protests. Clearly, they aim to frustrate the remaining elections. This is not acceptable,’ he said.
The violence erupted on Sunday when it became obvious that President Jonathan has won Saturday’s presidential election, defeating the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), former military head of state Muhammadu Buhari, who is widely popular in the north.
CPC has rejected the result and filed a petition with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
But President, saying enough is enough, urged those aggrieved to go to court.
‘Democracy is about the rule of law. It is to its credit, that in recent years our judiciary has demonstrated great courage, fortitude and independence in the discharge of its duties. There are, therefore, no grievances that our laws and courts cannot address,’ he said.
Worried that the killings could spark reprisals in the Christian south, Jonathan appealed to all communities around the country ‘to show restraint in the face of provocation.’