By Stella Omona / Snr. Correspondent, Abuja
As campaigns for the 2015 general elections progress, the European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) have strongly condemned a statement credited to Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema on "cockroaches of politics."
EU Head of Delegation to Nigeria, Amb. Michel Arrion, at media session on Thursday in Abuja, described such a statement as the beginning of violence, which must be avoided by all political players.
"We are saying that all actors, the politicians, the security agencies, the media, CSOs, the government, all actors have to prevent violence. What I read today in the press, I don't know if it is confirmed, but if really the speech delivered in Hausa by the Governor of Katsina State is really confirmed, I would say it's really the beginning of something that is a very serious source of concern for us.
"He is quoted as having said: "You should not be bordered with cockroaches of politics. You know what to do when you have cockroach in your house, you kill it, yes, you must crush them."
That kind of statements is, I am sorry to say, extremely dangerous and not acceptable.
"This kind of hate speech is absolutely not acceptable in particular in the biggest democracy in Africa," he stressed, adding that the EU supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive, and non-violent electoral process.
Also, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja in a statement said: "We are deeply troubled by Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State's recent statements calling for the killing of the 'cockroaches of politics.' The rhetorical threat of violence undermines the democratic process and is utterly unacceptable in a democratic society.
"The United States reiterates its call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocating, fomenting, or condoning violence before, during or after the elections.
Posted by: Nzinink <nzinink@yahoo.com>
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