Thirteen governors of the Peoples Democratic Party have said there is need for the country to have a virile opposition.
The governors whose political party ruled the country for 16 years before it was defeated by the All Progressives Congress in the last general election, therefore called on the men of the Department of State Service to stop disturbing members of their party.
Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, who is also the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, spoke on behalf of his colleagues after their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night.
Mimiko said the PDP governors were worried with the activities of the men of the Department of State Security, which he said were aimed at stifling the opposition.
He described the alleged meddlesomeness of the security agency in electoral maters, which he said were capable of affecting the fortunes of the PDP at election petition tribunals, as worrisome and unacceptable.
Reading from the communiqué released after the meeting, Mimiko said, “The forum condemns in very strong terms the alleged worrisome meddlesomeness of the Department of State Services in Election Tribunal matters especially in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Abia States.
“It is against the spirit, ethos, values and fundamental tenets of democratic norms and tradition; more so with the existence of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.
“The forum is worried, alarmed and shocked by this development. A situation where officials of Independent National Electoral Commission in these three States, (all PDP States) are daily being arrested, detained and questioned on election-related offences, even when the cases are on-going at the tribunals, spells doom and poses imminent danger to our fledgling democracy.”
He said that the alleged interference was an attempt to stifle the opposition, adding that this action was most unacceptable.
“We insist that the trend be reversed. No democracy survives without a viable opposition in any part of the world,” he added.
Mimiko said INEC was supposed to be an independent commission and that its officials ought to be shielded from partisanship, especially at a time when the dust raised by the alleged APC membership of the DG of the DSS, Mr Lawal Musa Daura, has yet to be settled. He alleged that there were clear cases of under-aged voters in some states and expressed his worry that the DSS did not investigate a single person or make any arrest in those states.
The governor also alleged that “even in a clear case where money paid was traced to the bank account of a State Resident Electoral Commissioner, the DSS is yet to order investigation into the matter.”
He advised the DSS to pre-occupy itself with the task of ensuring internal security and not involve itself in electoral matters.
At the enlarged meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum later in the evening which ended in the early hours of Thursday, the governors agreed to meet with the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban K-Moon.
The meeting, according to the Chairman of the Forum, who is also the Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari, would discuss among others, the Sustainable Development Goals, the successor programme to the Millennium Development Goals and the envisaged role of State Governors, as critical stakeholders in its implementation. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
It's too early for APC lead govt to begin to exhibit it's military fangs on election matters. For Buhari to. show he is born again Democrat he has to redirect the DSS
ReplyDeleteIt's too early for APC lead govt to begin to exhibit it's military fangs on election matters. For Buhari to. show he is born again Democrat he has to redirect the DSS
ReplyDeleteBunch of fools, now the table has turned, you are all throwing tantrums. You all kept mute when Jonadaft was using DSS to torment the opposition. When Marylyn Ogar was PDPigs spokesperson , where were you? When the DSS went to Osun state at the last election wearing hoods to cover their faces, were you dead then?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 10:34 should Nigeria to go forward or backward if the pass administration had made mistake should the present emulate them..the right thing should be done for the country to move forward.thanks....God bless naija,God bless PMB
DeleteHmmmm....
ReplyDeleteFor as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Proverbs 23v7
I am persuaded that Nigerians should now see PDP for what they really are and indeed how they ruled (not lead) with impunity during their time.
All these shows clearly that PDP is now being hunted by their own ghost and their own character and mind set.
The Ekiti Gate Tapes are still fresh in the oven and will soon definitely be laid to rest with appropriate prosecutions for infringements against the Constitution of the Federal Republic.
Cases against the DSS for illegal searches and unlawful arrest cum detention which were all done at the instant of PDP Government are all still in court.
All these reveals the type of spirit with which PDP actually ruled Nigeria illegally using every machinery of governance to frustrate effective administration of the rule of law.
Let it be known that, for all the PDP impunities, the Tax Payers of Nigeria will end up paying the Compensation to the victims of such devilish and unconstitutional acts.
Nigerians should thank God for these happenings.
PDP ruled Nigeria with impunity, they plundered the Nation and looted the treasury. Even ex-Governor now Senator Akpabio recently confessed that they do not have access to Aso Rock any more for funds. Just imagine that level of misrule and impunity.
As more revelations like these surface, Nigerians should resolve firmly in the sincere hearts of hearts to cut the head of the PDP Snake and bury it forever.
Only Righteousness Shall Exalt Nigeria, and indeed Nigeria shall be Great Again, in Jesus Name, Amen and Amen.