Election rigging will make Nigeria bloody, Niger Delta Agitators warns

The umbrella body of militant groups in the Niger Delta, Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA), has warned President Muhammadu Buhari not to attempt rigging the election, else the country would be ‘bloody’.

CNDA consists of Niger Delta Avengers, Niger Delta Volunteers, Bakassi Strike Force and Niger Delta Warriors. Others are Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Movement for Justice and Niger Delta Fighters Network groups.

“If we notice any attempt to rig election by anyone, including the security agents, it shall be bloody. Let people vote (according to) their conscience and let the vote of the people count,’ CNDA convener John Duku said in a statement.

Duku, who urged Buhari to emulate former Goodluck Jonathan in conduct of election, said Nigeria would have a new president after the presidential election.

“Our brother, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, accepted defeat and handed over to Buhari; I implore Buhari to toe the path of honour and do same,” Duku said.

Although, Duku did not state the name of the coalition’s preferred candidate, but said it would resist any plan by Nigeria’s electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to compromise in favour of Buhari.

According to him, “We have sensitised our members and affiliates on how and who to vote, come February 16, 2019. I also want to assure you that our men would be on the ground in all the polling units across the Niger Delta region.”

He alleged that Buhari had neglected the Niger Delta region for developmental projects and programmes since election as president in 2015.

“We want to assure you that President Buhari will not return in 2019 except INEC compromises election results. Buhari has neglected the Niger Delta people to the extent that we would have reacted in a very negative way if not for our elders and leaders who continuously calmed us down.