Following the major uproar that erupted following Buhari’s statement about Ballot box snatchers being dealt with, the Presidency has reaffirmed Buhari’s statement.
Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, while speaking to State House Correspondents on Monday, said;
“Snatching ballot boxes often entails putting the lives of innocent Nigerians at risk. About 10 years ago, evidence was brought before an election tribunal from one of the states in North Central of the gruesome killing of 26 prospective voters by ballot box snatchers. Their modus operandi is well known. They storm election venues in commando style, overwhelm the law-enforcement agents and seize ballot boxes leaving a trail of death and injury,” Shehu said.
He continued saying; “Anyone who dares to put the lives of innocent citizens at risk in their desperation to rig elections, must be prepared for the possibility of losing their own lives because our security agents will certainly not stand by, clap for them and watch them kill and maim.”
Shehu also made it known that the lives of the citizens is a major priority to President Buhari and he had the safety of everyone in mind when he made the comment.
Speaking on the reactions following the president’s comment, Shehu said;
“This sounds like members of the opposition, specifically the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who have perfected plans to rig the elections and to snatch ballot boxes. They can tell that President Buhari is not prepared to tolerate their antics this time around, and they are afraid. They have shown their intent,” he said.
“Let’s just have free and fair elections and no one need worry about anything,” he said.
