Presidency Speaks On Buhari’s Death Penalty For Ballot Box Snatchers

The Presidency has reacted to the criticisms trailing President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to security operatives asking them to be ‘‘be ruthless’’ with ballot box snatchers in the forthcoming general elections.

Buhari, at the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday, warned that any ballot box snatcher in the coming elections ‘‘will do it at the expense of his own life” as he had briefed the military and the police to brutally deal with anyone caught.

“I have briefed the law enforcement agencies and the military. They have identified the hot spots, flashpoints,’’ the President said, adding that, “Anybody who decides to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to disturb it, maybe this is the last unlawful action you will take.’’

Buhari added, “I already gave the military and the police (order) to be ruthless. We are not going to be blamed that we want to rig election. I want Nigerians to be respected. Let them vote whoever they want across the parties.

“I am going to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs or to disturb the voting system, he will do it at the expense of his own life,” he said.

The President’s statement has since attracted a lot of reactions, with some Nigerians on Titter criticizing him for asking security operatives to kill citizens over an electoral offence that has prescribed punishment under Section 118 and 129 of Electoral Act 2010,.

But reacting to the criticisms, Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, said only election riggers would be concerned about the directive the President gave to the security agencies.

Bashir reacted in a series of tweets.

WARNING: “I really gave the military and police order to be ruthless… Anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch ballot boxes or disturbs the voting system, will do so at the expense of his own life." – President @MBuhari. pic.twitter.com/lhvT8yEZR2

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 18, 2019

Huh! Seems some people have been planning to lead a group of thugs on the Election Day to disrupt the voting system and snatch ballot boxes. President @MBuhari’s warning today is just exposing them. Respect yourself and leave democracy to perfectly work, Uncle! #NigeriaDecides!

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 18, 2019

If you are not a rigger or planning to lead a body of thugs to disrupt the voting system and snatch ballot boxes, you will definitely support PMB waiting. #iSupportPMBWarning! Nigeria has to be respected. #NigeriaDecides https://t.co/bs7ZeTAbOI

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 18, 2019

I really don’t understand this, the opposition has been crying that President @MBuhari is planning on rigging the election, and today he sent a strong warning to anybody who has the intention to rig, now the same opposition are crying and wailing. I don’t expect that from them!

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 18, 2019