Former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd.), has called for the arrest of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, General Boyloaf and others over recent war threats by the ex-Niger Delta militant leaders.

Danjuma, who spoke to reporters at the permanent site of the multi-billion naira North-West University, Kano, said the drumbeat of war by the Niger Delta militants was highly irresponsible.

He said: “Those were reckless statements coming from irresponsible individuals; they should be condemned and be arrested immediately.”

The ex-militants had at ameeting with Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the Government House, Yenagoa, weekend, threatened to declare war against the country in the event that President Jonathan loses his re-election bid.

Danjuma, who refused to comment on the inaction of the President over the drumbeat of war by his kinsmen, condemned Nigerian politicians for sacrificing issues-based campaign for slander.

The one-time Chief of Army Staff, however, cautioned on the need to reverse current trends where politicians were having a field day denigrating one another in the build-up to the general elections, pointing out that such unwholesome practice was counter-productive to democracy.

General Danjuma commended Kwankwaso over the infrastructure development of Kano State, adding that the legacy was worth emulating by other stakeholders in the polity.

He identified lack of continuity as the bane of Nigeria’s infrastructure development and appealed to successive administrations at each tier of government to embrace continuity in collective interest of the nation.

“Governor Kwankwaso is leaving behind a lasting and enduring legacy for Kano and we hope his successor would consolidate on the gains,” Danjuma said.

•Adapted from a Vanguard report. Photo shows Danjuma.