President Jonathan: Violence reminds of civil war, vows ‘enough’!

[TGD]

"IF anything at all, these acts of mayhem are sad reminders of the events which plunged our country into thirty months of an unfortunate civil war. As a nation we are yet to come to terms with the level of human suffering, destruction and displacement, including that of our children to far-away countries, occasioned by those dark days,"

With these words, President Goodluck Jonathan reflected on the nation's recent political violence and lamented that Nigeria not only reels from the pains of wars against itself. He then vowed, in a tone laden with emotions: "ENOUGH is enough"!

In his second national broadcast in two days since winning the presidential election, Jonathan went down memory lane, chronicling cases of unwarranted carnage in the country: "In recent years, we have also witnessed other acts of intolerance, violence and destruction of human life perpetrated by unpatriotic elements for no justifiable reason.  Indeed, the nation still bears some of the scars of other similar events like the aftermath of the June 12th 1993 elections that brought our polity to the brink. It is inconceivable therefore, that there are some in our midst who seek to re-enact a stalemate in the political process."

As President, he said, "it is my solemn duty to defend the constitution of this country.  That includes the obligation to protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian wherever they choose to live."

And in a direct message to those who are allegedly citing the election as reason for their protest, he said: "I will defend the right of all citizens to freely express their democratic choice anywhere in this country; to enjoy every freedom and opportunity that this country can offer without let or hindrance."

Source: Jonathan: Violence reminds of civil war, vows 'enough'!