PROFESSOR ISHAQ AKINTOLA

24^th October, 2013

 PRESS RELEASE:

THREAT TO DEMOLISH OPPOSITION SECRETARIAT: 

IT IS AN INVITATION TO ANARCHY

The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) FCT yesterday insisted that the building used by the opposition party, the PDP's breakaway faction, located in the high brow Maitama District in Abuja, would be demolished for alleged violation of land use. The building has continued to be under siege, with riot policemen mounting guard around it for more than four weeks.

We observe that the same building had earlier been used as the national secretariat of another political party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), before the Baraje faction of the PDP acquired it. It is interesting that FCTA did not realise that it violated land use at that time. The fact that FCTA still wants the secretariat destroyed despite the fact that the building had been seized by the police for weeks reveals the desperation in the actions of this regime. We warn that it is an invitation to anarchy if the secretariat is pulled down. Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.     

It is also a strong piece of evidence that the ruling party is jittery. It is losing confidence in its ability to win the next election through fair means. Desperate to hold onto power, it has unleashed every weapon in its arsenal, both fair and foul, to intimidate the opposition. We therefore express the fear that the ruling party is already busy putting finishing touches to a super plan to rig the next election. The proposed national conference which the government has embraced overnight and which it is pursuing with alarming vigour may be one of the smokescreens.

It is the considered opinion of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) that FCTA's body language constitutes credible threat to a free and peaceful 2015 election. This must concern every Nigerian citizen as well as the international community. By taking these actions, this government can best be described as oppressive and tyrannical. Or how else can any sensible person describe a regime that plans to demolish a building simply because it perceives the owner to be anti-government?

It is this same regime that has subjected Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State to severe travails thereby preventing the governor from delivering the dividends of democracy to the citizens of the state. Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko was suspended from the PDP simply because he did not pick the telephone call from PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

Is this democracy? The opposition is being witchhunted. Planes conveying key opposition figures are not being allowed in Nigerian airspace. The police is being used to coerce governors perceived as unfriendly. Opposition figures are being hounded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These actions are the hallmarks of totalitarian dictatorship. President Jonathan does not brook opposition. He is an interesting study in the dictatorship of the left. The handwriting on the wall points to the fact that despots have hijacked power in Nigeria. This is a serious threat to peace in this country.

MURIC calls on all opposition parties in the country not to relent in their efforts to defend democracy and the rule of law. Nigeria must be rescued from the desperate clutches of tyrants and reactionary elements. We charge civil society to stand up and be counted in the battle for the defence of the golden principles of good governance: liberty, social justice and the rule of law.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

08182119714