The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects as undemocratic and
completely unacceptable, President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment that
security agencies will deal decisively with any persons or group that
dares to criticize the handling of security under his administration.
The PDP, as a party, after a thorough review of all issues and the fact
that nobody, apart from the President himself, politicized the Dapchi
issue when he boasted that his response time was faster than that of
former President Goodluck Jonathan, hold that President Buhari’s
pronouncement on alleged politicization of security issues is targeted
at emasculating opposition and those with contrary opinions to the views
of the APC interests.
The President’s statement completely betrays a dangerous political
intolerance and utter disdain for the rule of law and constitutionally
guaranteed freedom of speech and opinion of citizens in a democracy.
PDP is constrained to remind President Buhari that our nation is no
longer under the rule of military decrees and tribunals where security
agents “deal(t) decisively” with citizens for holding opinions.
Our dear nation, Nigeria, and her people, has since 1999 chosen a
democratic order where there are clear laws guiding expression of
opinions.
Our 1999 Constitution (as amended) also confers the adjudication of any
violations in that regard with the courts and not with security
operatives.
Nigerians are aware that the present APC government has become intensely
distraught, having been rejected for its misrule, and will not hesitate
to deploy every available means to inject fear into the citizen and
prevent them from freely expressing themselves and voting according to
their consciences during the 2019 general elections.
President Buhari should however note that Nigerians can no longer be
intimidated or cowed as they are now, more than ever before, ready to
protect their constitutionally guaranteed rights as enshrined in our
constitution.
While the PDP is against any action by any citizen to undermine our
security system, especially for political reasons, we insist that where
such occurs, it must be addressed by procedures and processes provided
by the laws of our land.
We therefore join all well-meaning Nigerians to urge the military and
all security agencies not to allow themselves to be used against the
people.
Finally, the PDP calls on the United Nations and the international
community to note and condemn this dangerous trend in our country.
