A former Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Tam David-West, has warned Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo against inflammatory statements on the presidential election.
Asari-Dokubo said at the weekend that Jonathan had already won the election. He said he did not owe anyone an apology for the comment.
The ex-minister told The Nation yesterday that Asari-Dokubo’s statement suggested that they knew Jonathan would rig the election.
He warned that any attempt to rig the poll would plunge Nigeria into trouble because the world was expecting a free and fair election.
David-West said Nigerians knew the difficulties the country was going through, adding that they wanted a change.
His words: “The President should call Asari-Dokubo to order. He is not helping Jonathan’s cause. What Asari-Dokubo’s declaration implies is that he already knows that Jonathan will rig the election. If we don’t have a free and fair election next year, the country will be in trouble. The world is expecting a free and fair poll.
“Nigerians are tired of rigging. Election malpractices are antithetical to democratic ethos. Anyone, who loves Nigeria, should pray for a free and fair election.”
David-West noted that Asari-Dokubo abused the northerners by calling them parasites.
He said no candidate could win a presidential election without carrying the North and the South along.
The former minister said Jonathan faced a hurdle at the polls because people were determined to effect a change next year.
