“I stand by my statement which I made in my early press conference. There will be no peace, not only in the Niger Delta, but everywhere, if Goodluck Jonathan is not president by 2015."
“The last time Obasanjo arrested me, my arrest reduced Nigeria oil production to 700,000 barrels per day. This time, it will reduce it to zero barrel...
Asari, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, said he stood by his words that there would be war in Nigeria if Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015.
He added that any attempt to arrest him would make Nigeria “a history”, asking why those calling for his arrest turned deaf ears to the threats of northern leaders like Maj.-Gen Mohamadu Buhari, Alhaji Lawal Kaita and a former member of the House of Reps, Farouk Aliyu, among others.
He said, “I want to refresh your memories with comments made by these northerners, who had in the time past threatened war and break-up of Nigeria.
“In 2010, one Lawal Kaita said and I quote: ‘Anything short of a Northern President is tantamount to stealing our Presidency. Jonathan has to go and he will go. Even if he uses the incumbency power to get his nomination on the platform of the PDP, he would be frustrated out…The North is determined, if that happens, to make the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan or any other Southerner who finds his way to the seat of power on the platform of the PDP against the principle of the party’s zoning policy’.
“Today insurgent groups, in furtherance to Kaita’s call a’re wreaking havoc, attacking military barracks and seizing weapon, but we will not sit and watch. Kaita made this statement, nobody arrested or call for the arrest of this fellow, today he is walking free.
“Buhari made this statement in 2011, he was never arrested and nobody ever called for his arrest. In other countries, former leaders are being tried, but here, a man who overthrew a legitimate government, continues to threaten us with blood and nothing has happened.”
He added, “I am not afraid of arrest. I am saying it bold and clear without mincing words, that the consequences of my arrest [is that] Nigeria will be history...will match violence with violence, intrigues with intrigues. We are ready for them.
"Goodluck Jonathan will complete his tenure of two terms, whether they like it or not. I am daring them to arrest me if they can. If they don’t, they are cowards and shame on them.”
