United States and UK react to Gov. Shema’s ‘kill and crush’ statement

by Kolapo Olapoju

The United States and United Kindgom have condemned the statement of Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, where he compared his political opponents to cockroaches’, and urged his supporters to ‘kill and crush’ them.

The governor made the comments in a two-minute video clip, which first appeared on the Internet on Wednesday, 12 November.

While the US stated that the comments undermined the democratic process, the UK expressed concerns over the rhetoric.

The Information Office, US Embassy, Abuja, released a statement to this effect on Thursday, 20 november, noting that participants in the electoral process must demonstrate passion for their convictions and beliefs in a manner that shows respect for opposing differences.

It said, “As Nigeria looks ahead to the February 2015 general elections, the United States strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive and non-violent electoral process.”

“We are deeply troubled by Governor Ibrahim 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.”

In a similar vein, the British High Commission said it was concerned by the reported comments of Governor Shema.

According to its statement , “The British Government supports a peaceful, credible and transparent democratic process, in accordance with the stated principles of the Nigerian Constitution.”

“We will continue to make this clear in our engagement with all political actors and parties.”

Comments (2)

  1. He is from pdp and inpunity is part of their way.

  2. you should ask him to explain, instead of spreading the said literary. it may cary some meaning to him and to other Nigerians

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