President Muhammadu Buhari at the All Progressive Congress Party, APC, Caucus Meeting in Abuja on Monday, riot act to those intending to interfere with the election process come February 23 by snatching ballot boxes, saying they would be dealt with.
Addressing the audience, the President said; ”Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disturb the election, maybe that would be the last unlawful action you would take. I have given the military and police the order to be ruthless.”
He went on to add, “I am going to warn anybody who thinks he would lead a body of thugs in his locality to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system; he would do it at the expense of his/her own life.”
Some Nigerians have taken to twitter to share their views on the statement.
@AbdulMahmud01
“Ballot box snatching is an electoral offence under Ss 118 & 129 EA 2010 and it fetches 2yrs imprisonment. It doesn’t call for summary execution. One day soon we’ll wake up to this tyrant ordering soldiers to kill peaceful protesters! Wait & see.”
@femiadeniyi_
“You are angry because @MBuhari issue death threat to election riggers and ballot box snatchers.
The question is do you have plans to rig or snatch ballot box? ??♂.
If you do, your bullet is cooling off in the army arsenal.
Dazzol.”
@FireOFola
“Why are you angry? Are you planning to snatch ballot boxes? That in itself is Treason..
Every party should actually be against ballot snatching.. If you actually mean well for Nigeria.. But then, you are paid to tweet against the good of the land.”
Ed Stark
“A president is encouraging jungle justice. The electoral law states two years imprisonment for ballot snatching . But our president is encouraging summary execution on the spot. Some of you still support this man. SMH.”
@prince_kay1
“WARNING: “I really gave the military and police order to be ruthless… I felt so happy hearing this from my President.”
@aracdol
“The president merely put a steep price on election rigging and thuggery. The vote thieving PDP thought it was just a matter of cash. Now they know better. Those who do not plan to rig have nothing to fear. I am tired of political correctness of criminals.”
@topeatiba
“A certain Mr. Uche Secondus once threatened War if the elections are rigged! Now his kids are crying fowl when the People’s president directs that no measure should be spared within the ambit of the law to secure the ballot. Shame on you all.”
@Chrisbamidele
“If you are planning to do any other thing aside from voting, and monitoring your votes on Saturday, well, I have got news for you.
READ ALSO: General Elections: Snatch Ballot Boxes at the expense of your life – Buhari
Speak All the grammar you want, wail all you want. Cry all the Ẹkùn egbere you can muster, if you snatch ballot boxes on election day, you will be dealt with, with full force.”
@AyooAkanji
“Peaceful voters have nothing to be worried about-however those whose stock in trade is violence, the message is clear.”
@Ediong
“I like how the president’s #SnatchAtYourOwnRisk warning makes some people bleed. You can imagine what they planned for last Saturday. Rig the coming elections with your life. That’s all.”
@SenatorRasheed
“A clear message to my fellow youth. don’t allow yourself to be used to snatch ballot boxes.”
@HenryOnyeiwu1
“How can a President issue death threats against their citizens? ?”
@nnaezema
“He never spoke like this against Herdsmen killing people across the country… Now he is afraid of losing election, he comes with a threat.”
@pascaloz
“I guess i agree that ballot boxes should not be snatched as long as the shoot at sight order by @MBuhari is not limited to members of a particular Party.”
@MrAbuSidiq
“Those who snatch ballot boxes don’t come to serve you pounded yam and whisk soup when they come for the boxes. They come with arms. You stand on their way, you die.”
@MrLekanAdigun
“If you are not an election (or intending) rigger you’ve nothing to fear about the clear statement from GMB. The statement is for arsonists, outlaws, vote robbers, and professional letter (sorry, result) writers. If your intentions are noble, nothing to fear!”
@Tesliiim
“#SnatchAtYourOwnRisk like this is funny o I’m not a staunch APC fan o just a normal Nigerian…I watched the APC caucus meeting I really don’t find nothing wrong in the meeting… I do believe now that PDP has paid some to just create uproar on TwitterNg.”