The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as barbaric and strongly condemnable the manhandling of its governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Sen. J.J. Akpanudoedehen, by security agents who re-arrested and slapped him after he was granted bail in the ‘’phantom treason charge against him.’’
In a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara State, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Friday, the party said it was particularly appalled at the lawlessness and sheer brigandage of the police officers, who stormed the court with their weapons drawn and virtually dragged out a man presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
It said the action of the police amounted to a grave desecration of the hallowed chambers of the Court, a mockery of justice and a sad reminder that Nigeria, though in a democratic dispensation now, can easily slip back to the dark days of military dictatorship. ACN said it is ironic that such an act of violence in the deep recesses of a court, a few days before key elections, occurred under the watch of a President who has continuously told the world that he is committed to a free, fair and violence-free election.
‘’Nothing shows the partisanship and lawlessness of the police under IGP Hafiz Ringim more than the Gestapo-like action of the officers in not only re-arresting our gubernatorial candidate, even when the juudge has condemned the lack of evidence to back the grave charges slammed on him, but also slapping him.
‘’We demand that the police officer or officers involved in this show of shame be identified and punished, while the IGP himself must be sacked immediately, unless of course he is acting in the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan.
‘’But whether or not Ringim is sacked, we will like to remind him of what happened to one of his predecessors in the not-too-distant past, who was dumped after being used by the powers that be to thwart the people’s will in another general election. This IGP too will get his comeuppance at the appropriate time,’’ the party said.
ACN said it is now clear to all Nigerians that the party was not just crying wolf when it said IGP Ringim was conniving with the PDP and the Government of Akwa Ibom to put away Senator Akpanudoedehe, so that Gov. Godswill Akpabiocan have an easy ride in the April 16 gubernatorial election.
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