Skip to main content

[AfricaRealities] EU, U.S. condemn Shema’s ‘cockroaches of politics’ statement - News

 


EU, U.S. condemn Shema's 'cockroaches of politics' statement - News

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>
Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1)
----------------------------------------------------------
The Voice of the Poor, the Weak and Powerless.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Post message:  AfricaRealities@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: AfricaRealities-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: AfricaRealities-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: AfricaRealities-owner@yahoogroups.com
__________________________________________________________________

Please consider the environment before printing this email or any attachments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-http://www.africarealities.com/

-https://www.facebook.com/africarealities

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-New International Scholarships opportunities: http://www.scholarshipsgate.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

__,_._,___

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Le Troisième Mandat de Louise Mushikiwabo à l'OIF : Entre Précédent et Principe Démocratique.

Le Troisième Mandat de Louise Mushikiwabo à l'OIF : Entre Précédent et Principe Démocratique. L'Alternance à l'OIF : Pourquoi un Troisième Mandat Fragilise la Crédibilité de la Francophonie. Introduction Louise Mushikiwabo veut un troisième mandat à la tête de l'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Son annonce, faite bien avant l'émergence d'autres candidats, rappelle une tactique familière en Afrique : affirmer qu'on a le soutien populaire sans jamais le prouver publiquement. La méthode est rodée. Des dirigeants africains l'utilisent depuis des décennies pour prolonger leur règne. Ils clament que "le peuple le demande" ou que "les partenaires soutiennent" cette reconduction. Aucune preuve formelle n'est nécessaire. L'affirmation devient réalité politique. Mais voilà le problème : la Francophonie prêche la démocratie, l'État de droit et l'alternance au pouvoir. Peut-elle tolérer en son sein ce qu...

-“The enemies of Freedom do not argue ; they shout and they shoot.”

-“The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.”

-“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”

-“I have loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore I die in exile.”

IRIN - Great Lakes

UN News Centre - Africa