9th September, 2013
PRESS RELEASE:
POLICE SEALING OF NEW PDP SECRETARIAT
Armed riot squad of the Nigerian Police took over the premises of the new secretariat of the breakaway Baraje faction of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) at Plot 4, Oyi River Crescent, Maitama, Abuja on Saturday, 8th September, 2013. Nobody was allowed to enter the building.
It will be recalled that seven governors, several senators and members of the House of Representatives had formed another faction of the PDP after the unsuccessful convention organized by the party.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) considers this development very unhealthy for democracy. The fact that the issue is still before the court which had asked the two parties to maintain the status quo makes the police action on the order of the Tukur-led PDP leadership premature, illegal and unconstitutional.
This police action is suggestive of panic and confusion within the old PDP. We advise this group to put its house in order through genuine dialogue which guarantees the dignity of each politician in its fold and caters for the interest of every stakeholder instead of heating up the polity with police action.
We are disappointed that a government that swore to respect the law courts and to make the rule of law a cardinal point resorts to an illegitimate police action. By its body language, the Jonathan administration continues to prove to Nigerians that it has not learnt from history. The collapse of the First Republic was not unrelated to the use of police to haunt and harass the opposition.
This is also the case in Rivers State where the governor's police escort has been withdrawn. We alert Nigerians about the danger posed by this phenomenon. Chief Bola Ige, former Minister of Justice, was assassinated a few minutes after his police escort technically 'withdrew' a few meters away.
MURIC warns that Nigerians will not stomach any political assassination this time around. The old PDP led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur should learn to brook dissent. Resorting to a show of force can only allow the crisis to escalate.
We charge the judiciary to stand firm and resist pressure from the ruling party. As an integral part of the Realm, the judiciary is the last hope of the oppressed and any sign of weakness on its part will be an invitation to anarchy. Nigeria's democracy would remain a farce if the ruling party is allowed to get away with contempt of the court.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
0818-211-9714
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
0818-211-9714
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
234-803-346-4974
234-818-211-9714
E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.muric.net
Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights
Blog: muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/muslimrights
MURIC's bank account :
Banker's Name: Guaranty Trust Bank
Be just
Justice is the soul of peace
Banker's Name: Guaranty Trust Bank
Account Name: Muslim Rights Concern
Account Number: 0112827277
Account Number: 0112827277
Justice is the soul of peace
No one can deny one and have the other
Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace
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