U.S. Reacts to Gov. Shema of Katsina's Rhetorical Threat of Violence

The United States has condemned the statement credited to Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, in which he likened his political opponents to cockroaches that should be crushed.

The governor’s rhetoric appeared in a two-minute video clip, which was posted on the Internet on November 12, 2014 and had gone viral.

A statement from the Information Office, US Embassy, Abuja, on Thursday noted that participants in the electoral process must demonstrate passion for their convictions and beliefs in a manner that shows respect for opposing differences.

It said,

“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.
“We are deeply troubled by Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State’s recent statements calling for the killing of the “cockroaches of politics.” The rhetorical threat of violence undermines the democratic process and is utterly unacceptable in a democratic society.”

Source: frontiersnews.com