PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday directed all national security agencies to remain on full alert in order to thwart any further attempt to breach the peace.The President, who is still on his seven-day retreat at the Obudu Cattle Ranch, Cross River State, told security agencies, especially those deployed in identified flashpoints across the country, to stop unpatriotic people from denying patriotic Nigerians the huge gains they have made to consolidate democratic governance in the country through the 2011 general elections. .Jonathan, who congratulated all re-elected and newly elected state governors and members of the National and State Houses of Assembly across the country, said he looks forward to working harmoniously with them all in the next four years on the implementation of his agenda for national transformation.Besides, soldiers and policemen are on alert on major streets of Owerri, the capital of Imo State as tension mounts over the results of the last governorship election in the state rages.While some military men continue to patrol the streets, others are positioned in various places with their armoured vehicles. Soldiers with armoured vehicles are positioned around areas such as Evan Enwerem University, Owerri junction (old Imo University) by Okigwe Road, Okigwe Road by Wethedral, Douglas, Egbu, Orji Roads and Works Layout. .But groups loyal to Ikedi Ohakim of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Owelle Rochas Okorocha of the Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are agitating that the results of the April 26 governorship polls held in the state be declared in their favour.A statement by presidential spokesman, Ima Niboro, said that with the 2011 general elections all but concluded, except for the supplementary elections scheduled to hold in parts of Imo State on Friday, the President wishes, once again, to thank all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, who have contributed to the delivery of the free, fair and credible elections promised by this administration.He expresses appreciation to the Chairman, commissioners, permanent and ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) some of whom sadly lost their lives in patriotic service to the country, the national security services, local and international observer groups as well as millions of Nigerians who trooped out thrice in the month of April to peacefully vote for leaders of their choice.President Jonathan believes that in spite of untoward incidents such as the violence witnessed in parts of the country, all Nigerians can be justifiably proud of the 2011 general elections which have been acclaimed locally and internationally as the freest and most credible elections held in the country in the current democratic dispensation.The statement continued: The President is determined to move Nigeria further along the path of democratic consolidation in the next four years to build on the gains of the 2011 general elections.In this regard, he is committed to working with all stakeholders to address any observed weaknesses, which persist in the countrys electoral system. .President Jonathan urges winners in the elections to be magnanimous in victory, and to commit themselves to good governance for all their constituents without discrimination. He urges them not to engage their predecessors in unnecessary battles, which may turn out as counter-productive.He sympathises with those who lost, and calls on them to gallantly concede defeat and congratulate the victors. He urges them to refrain from taking laws into their own hands and take the legal route where they feel dissatisfied with the outcome of the process.Meanwhile, the President has directed all national security agencies to remain on full alert, especially in identified flashpoints across the country, to thwart any further attempt to breach the peace and deny patriotic Nigerians the huge gains they have made to consolidate democratic governance in the country through the 2011 general elections.Also, following the recent post-election crisis in Kaduna, the state government has resolved to work hand in hand with the Federal Government to mop up all illegal fire arms in the hands of private individuals and groups to ensure the security of lives and property of all citizens in the state.But the state government indicted the police, saying they should be held responsible for the proliferation of arms and ammunition used during the recent post-presidential election violence in Kaduna.It was alleged that the executors of the crisis deployed various sophisticated weapons, including rocket launchers leading to loss of lives.The Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Saidu Adamu, who addressed journalists yesterday said that, we know where these guns were used, noting that a state governor does not give licences for people to acquire arms and ammunition.According to him, even the President does not have the powers to authorise people to acquire arms. It is the inspector-general of police that has the right to give licences for people to acquire arms.This is a challenge for the Inspector-General of Police. The police know what happened in Kaduna. There was so much ammunition around and some of them very sophisticated and I believe even the police do not have such ammunition.The police should start serious investigations concerning the origin of these machines. If the police really want to assist, they have the means of tracing those in possession of these arms.It is left for the police to liaise with the State Security Service to retrieve these arms because they have the means to track down persons in possession of these arms. .Adamu said further that government would rehabilitate all those who were displaced in the course of the disturbances, just as he insisted that Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa was ready to run an all-inclusive administration to accommodate the opposition.Adamu said: We are all aware that the race to the Government House has been completed and thanks be to The Almighty Allah that His Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, emerged winner of the election. .You are also aware of what happened not only in Kaduna but in other parts of the country after the presidential election. Some of our people decided to take the law into their hands, causing so much trouble to the extent that some of our brothers and sisters lost their lives. .Some people lost their property and some people are still displaced which is very unfortunate.We want to call on the people to be law-abiding and we condole families of those who lost their lives and for the displaced persons, government will do everything possible to rehabilitate them so that they can resume their normal lives.People should also understand that power comes from God and we know that nobody can compel God to give power to any particular person as we cannot force God on who should be our leader. .We find that over 95 per cent of Nigerians are either Muslims or Christians and the Bible and the Koran speak on who gives power to whosoever he wishes and at whatever time he wants.There is nowhere in the Koran that says the leader must be a Muslim and there is nowhere in the Bible that says the leader must be a Christian. .God has created us together and we must learn to live peacefully together and we all worship the same one God.
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