IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the majority leader of the House of Representatives and All Progressives Congress (APC) member, has threatened to deal mercilessly with Nigerians who would not vote for the ruling party in 2023.
“It is either you vote for APC or we deal with you mercilessly,” Doguwa said while campaigning in a viral video seen on social media on Tuesday.
The video has gone viral and has caused uproar on social media platforms, with many Nigerians condemning the lawmaker for threatening members of his constituency and Nigerians at large.
A tweep, @mistereldeexl said: “If you understand Hausa he said ” either vote for APC or suffer” on the other hand it could also mean “vote for APC or be dealt with” dealt with in which way?By who? It could mean suffer the consequences.Its not clear if it was a direct threat.”
@kingsmanosmomd reacted to @mistereldeexl’s comment, “Then why were those around him trying to make him withdraw the statement? Knowing fully well that he said something he was not supposed to say. His body and facial expressions alone speaks volume of the hate that rages in him as he was speaking.”
@Nithsmit called out Tinubu’s supporters over the lawmaker’s comment.
“Tinibu supporters won’t see this. The tribal bigots won’t see it
“These people don’t want the best for the country and some people will be supporting them out of sentiments or tribe
“Being same tribe won’t benefit you but those in his circle.”
@LayCanola also tweeted: “I don’t think this post is really, Doguwa cannot say this to the citizens and if indeed he said so, it means the battle line is drawn.
“No any available option than to desert APC or vote APC out of power. Nigerians will show you that you just made a mistake!”
@alagbakenneth also reacted to Dogawa’s statement, “The security Agencies should not ignore threats to Lives from the genesis, before it snowball to Boko Haram, Bandits & Unknown Gunmen.
“Those in govt that incite violence against recently signed PEACE ACCORD by their Party/Candidates should not be above the law to preserve peace.”
@Agedenyicharles wrote: “INEC & Security agencies should go after those threatening the peaceful conduct of 2023 elections. The electoral act of 2022 should not be thrown into the dustbin after laborious work of NASS. This is how electoral violence starts. A stitch in time saves nine nine.”
@Omeokachie2 changed the party’s name to “Al-Qaeda People’s Congress (APC)”
In a similar manner, the Kano APC chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, had earlier threatened that the APC will win the forthcoming elections by hook or crook.
“People are saying that I should stop saying the APC will capture Kano by hook or crook. I want to tell this gathering that the APC will capture Kano by hook or crook,” Mr Abbas said.
Kano ranks among states with the highest number of registered voters. According to the voter register released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in October, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Rivers States have the highest voters.
Lagos has 7,075,192 registered voters, followed by Kano with 5,927,565 registered voters, and Kaduna with 4,345,469 registered voters, then Rivers at 3,532,990.