A group Known as Northern Christian Civil Rights Movement Today staged a protest in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The group is accusing the PDP chapter on the Plateau to desist from its campaign of threatening judiciary officers and whipping of Sentiments.

The full press statement reads:

A speech delivered by the Northern Christian Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria on the attempts by the Peoples Democratic Party to whip up religious sentiments on the outcome of the Appeal Court Judgments in Plateau State.

“Nigerians must rise against attempts by Plateau PDP to blackmail the Appeal Court Justices and our judiciary.”

Dear beloved,

The Northern Christian Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria welcomes you all to this rally organised to put issues in proper perspective regarding the outcome of the Court Appeal rulings on the elections in Plateau State. 

Plateau State has suffered years of ethnic and religious conflicts, which politicians orchestrated mainly for their convenience. Ironically, this anomaly is gradually playing out with the recent stance of the Peoples Democratic Party. 

It is most unfortunate that the PDP would elect to go low to the extent of crying wolf where none exists. Aside from the unsubstantiated position, it has attempted to whip up religious sentiments with the potential of igniting conflict in the state. 

It is indeed a regime of blackmail and slander on the reputation of the justices of the Court of Appeal. The Northern Christian Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria frowns at such despicable conduct by the PDP. 

The attack on the reputation of the Justices of the Court of Appeal is playing politics too far. The relevant sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Acts that informed the rulings were explicit. 

The Court of Appeal entertained submissions by both parties and cited relevant laws to back their position. Strangely, this fact has erroneously skipped some vested interest that they elected to throw caution in the wind in their diatribe against the Justices of the Court of Appeal. 

Sadly, such a matter of sensitive nature is freely propagated by the PDP, not minding the consequences of their actions on the fragile peace on the Plateau. They have elected to turn their fantasy into reality and want to push it down our throats to swallow. 

The Northern Christian Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria wishes to use this medium to caution the PDP in Plateau State to desist from the unholy enterprise in the interest of peace and tranquility. 

It must be stated that the resort to cheap blackmail and propaganda serves no good and does not augur well for preserving democracy in Nigeria. Ironically, this has been one of the potent weapons of destabilization that political parties and actors employ to destabilize the system when election results do not go their way. 

The case of Plateau presents a vivid example of how politicians selfishly heat the polity and end up causing a conflict of unimaginable proportions. This enterprise must stop, and those responsible must desist from such ignoble endeavors. 

The ruling of the Court of Appeal in Plateau state has its merits. Parties unsatisfied with it are expected to undertake legal channels to seek redress, instead of arrogating to themselves the power to decide right or wrong. 

The Northern Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria is concerned about the nefarious activities of PDP politicians in Plateau state. It admonishes them to give peace a chance by following the proper channels in airing their grievances. 

The resort to blackmail and character assassination serves no good and can potentially bring the judiciary into disrepute. Such positions do not speak well of our politicians and should send a message to the people on the sincerity of heart and purposes of those we call leaders. 

The Plateau State scenario indicates a desperate attempt by the PDP to turn the people against the true winners of elections, as ruled by the Election Petitions Tribunal and affirmed by the Court of Appeal. 

The sentiments on display are needless and must be discontinued. We believe the people of Plateau are at peace and happy with the choice of leaders who were elected and returned. The PDP must accept this reality and allow peace to reign. 

The sack of some lawmakers under the banner of the PDP by the Court of Appeal was done in line with the provisions of the law, and the PDP must not cry wolf where none exists. Those returned to office had the mandate of the people to represent them.   

The Court of Appeal confirmed this, and it is the position of the Northern Christian Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria that the PDP should sheathe its sword and allow peace to reign. 

The fragility of peace in the Plateau is such that all stakeholders must be circumspect in their actions and inaction. The PDP must come to terms with this and act with reasonable caution in the weeks and months ahead.

Nigerians must rise against attempts by Plateau PDP to blackmail the Appeal Court Justices and our judiciary.

Thank you for your time and attention. Please, let’s give peace a chance in Plateau State. 

Signed:

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Stop whipping up Religious sentiments christian group tells Plateau PDP