By Jude Nudukwe
A statement issued recently by one Taiwo Olatunbosun, the Ekiti
State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), labeling the
governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, a threat to national security because of
the governor’s statements and posture to the leadership style of the Buhari-led
federal government is not only ridiculous and hypocritical, it is risible and
shocking. It goes a long way to further prove the well known fact that this
government is not only intolerant of dissenting views, it would do all and
anything to quell them even if it means applying “extreme measures” against
vocal individuals and institutions of the opposition.
 |
| *Fayose |
In a democracy where the Akwa Ibom
State
A situation where Mr Kayode
Are, former Director-General of the DSS, and his family, were forcefully and
violently evicted by men of the DSS under the leadership of Lawal Daura despite
a subsisting court order to the contrary, is the real threat to our democracy
and national interest.
A country where court orders are flagrantly disobeyed and bails granted by
competent courts of our land are denied the beneficiaries contrary to the rule
of law and the norm in a democracy just because the president and his security
agents wish so, is the real threat to our society. Fayose is not.
A situation where judges
and justices of even the Supreme Court are freely and blatantly insulted,
intimidated, harassed, embarrassed, wrongly accused just because they decide to
uphold the tenets of truth and justice irrespective of even if the ruling
party’s ox is gored, is what is the threat to our nation. Fayose is not.
A situation where the much
mouthed anti-corruption war is waged only against members of the opposition
party, perceived political enemies and vocal activists, while those who belong
in the ruling party are rewarded with exalted appointments, is what is
threatening our democracy and nation.
Since May 29, 2015,
elections conducted have had their results continuously and deliberately
declared inconclusive as a strategy of attempting to manipulate the process to
favour the APC and their candidates. This is what is threatening our national
security. The excessive militarization of the processes and its attendant
violence orchestrated by self-empowered state actors from Aso Rock as were the
cases in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers
States
When harmless men stage peaceful protests in other democratic climes, the worst
that could be used against them for the purpose of dispersing them is water cannon,
or rubber bullets in extreme situations, but in Nigeria and under President
Buhari, the military embark on the sickening rambunctious but unenviable
revelry of murdering defenceless protesters as were the cases with IPOB members
in Aba and Onitsha recently!
