US, UK, Others Condemn Katsina Governor’s Statement

The Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema has received criticism from the US, UK and the EU for supposedly telling his followers to kill the ‘Cockroaches of Politics’.

The US via a statement released for that purpose said that it was deeply troubled by the comments which could serve to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

It said:

“The rhetorical threat of violence undermines the democratic process and is utterly unacceptable in a democratic society.”

“We are deeply troubled by Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State’s recent statements calling for the killing of the ‘cockroaches of politics.’ The United States reiterates its call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocating, fomenting, or condoning violence before, during, or after the elections”.

“As Nigeria looks ahead to the February 2015 general elections, the United States strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive, and non-violent electoral process,” it added.

The British High Commission also released a statement expressing concern over Shema’s comments.

“The British Government supports a peaceful, credible and transparent democratic process, in accordance with the stated principles of the Nigerian Constitution. We will continue to make this clear in our engagement with all political actors and parties,” it said.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion while speaking in Abuja said:

“I would say it’s really the beginning of something that is a very serious source of concern for us. You know before my posting here in Nigeria I was working in Rwanda. And in Rwanda, in 90 days, they have killed 1 million ‘cockroaches’ which was the nickname giving to the Tutsis.”

“So we have to be careful and I hope it is not true. And there is no good reason whatsoever to call someone a cockroach. This kind of hate speech is absolutely not acceptable in particular in the biggest democracy in Africa; Nigeria after all, you are big country, you are big nation,” he added.

Arrion also urged Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable for any statements made.