Presidential candidate, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned the spate of violence in some parts of the north and called on those behind it to stop it for the unity of the nation.
However, Buhari, who spoke on Radio Kaduna, dissociated the CPC from the unrest.
According to him, "the CPC supporters have no hand in the violence" stressing that the crisis was the handiwork of mischief-makers, who should be condemned by all.
Also, former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has condemned the mayhem in some northern states.
In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Kassim Afegbua, Babangida charged "all Nigerians to shun primitive and uncivilised conducts such as violence, religious intolerance, killings in the name of politics, and maiming innocent and helpless Nigerians. We must continue to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in our politics, togetherness in our national aspirations and unity as one nation under God.
"We must be tolerant of the divergent views in the polity and exhibit a deeper sense of patriotism in our daily individual and collective indulgences. We must look into the future with hope and assurances with the firm belief that we will get it right someday. May the gains of this democratic process outlive all of us, Amen."
Babangida commended Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, for his diligence in conducting elections so far.
He also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for winning the presidential polls.
Babangida wrote: His victory should be seen not only as a collective victory for the country's fledgling democracy, but also an opportunity to further cement the democratic foundation of the country. It is a victory that should afford us as a people to chart a new roadmap in repositioning the country and fully utilizing her potentials for the benefit of mankind. It is a victory that should once again provide a basis for appreciating the opportunities that abound in the country and exploiting same, for the overall good of the nation.
"With a profound sense of responsibility, I wish to congratulate Gen. Mohammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change, Malam Nuhu Ribadu of the Action Congress of Nigeria and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, for their untiring efforts and high-spiritedness before, during and after the conduct of the Presidential elections.
"Their participation has further emboldened their respective supporters nationwide that democracy has finally come to stay.
"By their efforts, they have made lasting impressions in the minds of people and for posterity. The generation yet unborn would accord them the noble recognition that they truly put up highly spirited effort in helping to shape the twists and bends of our democracy, for the good of the country and to the glory of mankind. May Allah in His infinite mercy, continue to reward their efforts.''
Also, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has described President Jonathan's election as "historic" and a manifestation of people's power.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Odenyi, Ekweremadu said the conduct of the election broke the record of the June 12, 1993 polls hitherto adjudged the best election in the country.
In a reaction to the violent skirmishes in some northern states, defence authorities have assured of the Military's commitment to protecting lives, property and democratic structures in the country.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim, gave the assurance yesterday when he received the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.
"We in the military have been part of the history of this country and have learnt our lessons. We now know that a stable democracy does a lot of good for the military," Ibrahim said.
Suing for peace in the affected states, the Naval Chief called on the aggrieved parties to sheathe their swords, saying that country needed peace at this time.
"Without peace there won't be democracy. Let there be peace and then you can guarantee development in the land", he said.
Olubolade commended the military's role in this year's general elections and assured that the political class was willing to provide the needed resources for the military to enhance its performance.
Source: Buhari, IBB, others deplore violence (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45412:buhari-ibb-others-deplore-violence-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)