Comrade Timi Frank, a former
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has
told the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, not to be deceived
by the lies and propaganda being spewed by the President Muhammadu Buhari
government concerning the political, social and economic health of Nigeria when
she arrives on her official visit to the country.
Prime Minister May is scheduled
to visit Nigeria on Friday among two other countries in Africa.
Frank, who recently decamped to
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the ruling APC, in a statement in Abuja
on Tuesday, urged May to use the visit to interrogate the germane issues which
bother on the freedom and liberty of the people on expression, and the press in
the country.
In a statement he entitled
“Letter to Theresa May” on Tuesday, the former APC
chieftain noted that the rising scale of human rights violations, intimidation,
harassment, arrests and prosecution of perceived political enemies under the guise
of anti-corruption should not escape the scrutiny of the Prime Minister.
He wrote, “Dear Theresa May, It
is with great delight that we welcome you to Nigeria for this auspicious visit.
I must say that many Nigerians, particularly my humble self, are very glad to
have you visit the country.
“Nigerian are glad because they
believe your presence in Nigeria will enable you to see things as they are and
not how they had hitherto been presented to you in Downing Street, London. I
also believe that after observing the harsh conditions under which Nigerians
daily make their living, you will be better placed to advice the government led
by President Muhammadu Buhari, on how to proceed with his change agenda in such
a way that will make it beneficial to the masses of this country economically,
socially and politically.
“We are glad that as a Prime
Minister who is at the verge of making history with Brexit in Britain, you are
well acquainted on how to lead a major national reform without compromising on
the rule of law and fundamental human rights of citizens.
“It is the hope of majority of
Nigerians that following the role of the U.K. in Nigeria up to Independence in
1960, your presence in Nigeria will kickstart a fundamental change in the
hostile attitude of the present administration towards Nigerians.
“Be that as it may, I wish to
urge you not be carried away by rich hospitality and royal banquet that will be
lavished on you during this visit. Rather, Nigerians want you to use the visit
to re-interrogate, albeit diplomatically, the many cases of human rights
abuses, disdain for the rule of law, disobedience to court orders, selective
and lopsided anti-corruption crusade, intimidation, harassment, hounding,
arrests and forceful detention of opposition political party leaders, and the
invasion of National Assembly by hired thugs and the attempt to forcefully take
over an arm of government – the National Assembly – by one of the security
agencies recently.
“Following your quest and
passionate campaign to end modern day slavery and prevent illegal migration
from Africa to Europe, I implore you to use your good offices to prevail on
President Buhari to return to the path of democracy and rule of law in the
conduct of government business in the country without which people seeking to
escape from the oppressive regime and migrate to Europe will continue to
swell.”
Frank continued, “The questions
Nigerians want Your Excellency to ask President Buhari include:
“1. Is Buhari a democrat or an
authoritarian/dictatorial President?
“2. Is Buhari fighting corruption
or shielding alleged corrupt persons who now find the APC under his leadership
a safe haven to escape prosecution?
“3. Why is Buhari desperate to
get Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki forcefully removed as President of the Senate –
by hook or crook – through the invasion of the Senate by thugs and recent siege
on the National Assembly by a section of the nation’s security apparatus.
“4. Why is Buhari and APC trying
to truncate democracy by refusing to prosecute those who have violated the
sanctity of the parliament through the recent brazen invasion/siege on the
National Assembly?
“5. Why has Buhari not ensured
the release of Leah Sharibu – the Dapchi school girl – who has continued to
languish in captivity after others girls they were kidnapped together have
since regained freedom through government’s direct intervention?
“6. Why has Buhari kept the
Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheik El-Zakzaky in detention
for over three years despite several court rulings granting him bail?
“7. Similarly, why has Buhari
refused Col. Sambo Dasuki to go home after six court judgements, including the
ECOWAS Court of Justice, that have granting him bail?
“8. How can Buhari claim to
champion an anti-corruption fight when the APC under his leadership continues
to compromise the nation’s electoral process through open vote buying to win
elections?
“9. Why has Buhari continued to
gag the press through arrests and long detentions as witness in the case of
Jones Abiri – a Port Harcourt based journalist – who was detained without trial
for two years and a Premium Times reporter, Samuel Ogundipe who was
incarcerated for failing to disclose his sources to the police?
“10. Why has Buhari refused to
name murderous Fulani herdsmen as a terrorist organization just like he did to
the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)?
“It is important for you to ask
Buhari the above questions and get clear cut answers instead of being fed with
propaganda and lies for which this government is now reputed.”
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