APC raises alarm over barring of governors

The All Progressives Congress (APC) raised the alarm yesterday over the stopping of its governors  by security agencies acting on “orders from above” from travelling to Ado-Ekiti for the party’s final campaign for the Ekiti State governorship.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Governors – Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) were prevented from making the trip.

The helicopter that was to ferry Oshiomhole from Benin to Ado-Ekiti was refused permission to take off from the Benin Airport.

According to the APC, while the plane carrying Amaechi actually landed in Akure, his convoy was stopped at the boundary between Ondo and Ekiti States and ordered to turn back, because he would not be allowed to reach Ado-Ekiti.

The party said while Amaechi’s convoy was being detained to force him to turn back, the convoys of the Ministers of Defence and Police Affairs came, and were allowed to pass.

“These acts are illegal and definitely not in line with the Electoral Act, which stipulates that campaign for the election will only end at midnight on Friday.

“It also represents a manipulation of the electoral process when all the candidates will not be allowed a level-playing field to campaign for the election. There is no clearer manifestation of the federal government’s allergy to free, fair, transparent and violence-free election than this,” the party said.

It condemned the abuse of national institutions and the abuse of power which these actions represent, especially because only the Federal Government has control over these institutions, including the security agencies that have now become a tool in the hands of an increasingly-desperate government of the day.

Said the APC: “Several months ago, we warned that Nigeria under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan was sliding into fascism and we were pilloried in certain quarters for daring to make such a statement. Today, we have sadly been vindicated.

“Not even in the worst days of the abhorrent military dictatorship were things done this brazenly, with citizens being denied their fundamental rights of free movement, free assembly and free expression, all because of the desperation by the ruling party to win elections at all costs.”

“We, therefore, call on all good people of Nigeria and indeed all the country’s international friends to speak out against what is happening before things get out of hand. If democratically-elected governors could be so shabbily treated, despite the high office they occupy, what will happen to ordinary Nigerians in the hands of an increasingly-fascist government?” the APC queried.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Dakuku Peterside, condemned security agencies for stopping Amaechi from entering Ado-Ekiti.

Peterside, in a statement yesterday, said:

“The fears of many Nigerians, particularly lovers of democracy that the PDP-controlled Federal Government is determined to rig the June 21 Ekiti governorship elections has started manifesting. Today, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a leading member of APC and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, was barred by heavily armed Soldiers from paying his colleague Governor Kayode Fayemi a solidarity visit ahead of Saturday’s elections.

“Governor Amaechi’s convoy was literally arrested at the boundary town of Odudu between Ekiti and Ondo states by soldiers led by a captain citing orders from above.

“This arrest of Governor Amaechi marks another dimension in the impunity and desperation by the PDP controlled Federal Government to capture power at all cost, even at the cost of Nigerian lives and the entire Nigeria democratic project. This is worrisome and should be condemned by all lovers of democracy and liberty.

 “I join members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State to condemn in very strong terms this lawlessness and infringement on the freedom of movement and association. I would also use this medium to affirm that we the people of Rivers State and our political associates will hold the federal government and its agents responsible for the safety of our governor.

“I also wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians and the international community to this growing intolerance and impunity of the executive arm. These developments pose a major threat to our hard-earned democracy and we all have a responsibility to defend our country. Therefore, we must not allow the inordinate ambition of a few people to plunge the country into avoidable crisis.”