Attack On Saraki, Ekweremadu: Nigerian Democracy Is Under Threat – IYC

Eric Omare

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) says that the Nigerian democracy is under threat with the invasion of the official residence of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu by combined team of security officials.

IYC said the moves was ostensibly to prevent the principal officers of the Nigerian Senate from going to the National Assembly to perform their constitutional duties.

The IYC condemned the invasion in the strongest terms and liken the situation to the dark days of military dictatorship when state power was used to suppress voices of dissent.

It is undemocratic and unthinkable for the number three citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is not a fugitive to be prevented from leaving his official residence, Eric Omare, IYC President said in a statement.

According to him, “This is unprecedented in our democratic history and we call on all lovers of democracy all over the world to condemn this illegality.

“The events of the past few weeks clearly show that the 2019 general elections are under great threat from the federal government.

“The desperation to suppress opposition voices towards the re-election bid of President Buhari has become a threat to our democracy.

IYC therefore called on the international community to prevail on President Buhari to save Nigerian’s democracy.

“The hallmark of democracy is the respect for the right to freely associate and expression of divergent opinion.

“It is unacceptable for those oppose to the re-election of President Buhari to be harassed and arrested so as to prevent them from changing their political affiliations.

“We wish to also remind President Buhari to be guided by history as those who have been desperate to retain power at all cost never succeed in the history of Nigeria.

“President Buhari should not take the collective determination of Nigerians to protect and defend democracy for granted”, the statement added.