Rig and Roast: US blasts Tinubu says your violent rhetoric is irresponsible

The United States of America has called on Leader of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), Bola Tinubu,,and his ilks to stop threatening violence ahead of elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

While the governorship election in Ekiti State is expected to hold on June 21, that of Osun is scheduled to hold on August 9.

The US said “It is not, however, productive or reasonable to threaten violence, even when you perceive others have been guilty of misconduct. We were deeply troubled by the threat of “rig and roast” issued multiple times by a major political figure in recent weeks. Who benefits from that type of violent rhetoric, we wondered? And why would any ordinary Nigerian accept such provocative language, especially considering the history of post-election violence in Nigeria, and the truly horrific carnage that this country has been suffering at the hands of Boko Haram?”

This was contained  in a statement entitled, 'Countering the crisis of credibility', by its Consul General, Jeff Hawkins, wondered why politicians keep making elections incredible in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that Tinubu had during his investiture as Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, threatened that riggers in the elections would be roasted.

The ex-governor of Lagos State had said, “No government that wants people's votes will be doing what they are doing. They are already planning to rig the elections but be ready to protect your votes; nobody serves you freedom a la carte. It is going to be rig and roast.

“We are prepared not to go to court but to drive you out. We will not take it anymore. If you mess up in Ekiti and Osun states, you will see our reactions. For every action, there must be a reaction.”

Hawkins, who said the US had been watching the Nigeria political scene closely for about two years, warned Nigerian politicians against violence and disobedience to law.

The diplomat said, “The sponsorship of violence and intimidation, and the rhetorical threat thereof, are utterly unacceptable in a democratic society, and need to be expunged once and for all from the Nigerian polity and discourse. The US has been deeply troubled by some of the rhetoric that has been thrown around in recent weeks and months as these elections have drawn closer. It is perfectly acceptable, and even praiseworthy, to seek to defend your vote and that of your fellow citizens who share your support for a particular candidate.