National Chairman of National Action Council (NAC), Dr. Olapade Agoro on Thursday warned that the use of police against perceived political enemies by President Muhammadu Buhari might spell doom for Nigeria’s democracy.
Agoro, while speaking with journalists at his Apata, Ibadan residence, said Buhari must be warned of the implications of using the Nigerian Police against perceived political opponents.
The NAC presidential aspirant specifically maintained that the alarm raised by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki that the Inspector-General of Police ( IGP), Ibrahim Idris, is plotting to implicate him in a murder case should not be ignored by well-meaning Nigerians.
He maintained that what is happening in Nigeria today is reminiscent of what happened between 1979 and 1983 when then President Shehu Shagari-led National Party of Nigeria (NPN) used the police against political enemies.
Agoro said, “It must be noted that the Nigerian Police is a federal institution empowered by the constitution, primarily to ensure the security of every Nigerian. It will therefore, be unlawful, illegal and unreasonable for the police to be used against perceived political enemies.
“With the way things are going on in the country now, the Nigerian Police is being used to chase political opponents in particular the Senate President, democracy in the country may soon be jeopardized.
“The situation is becoming worrisome. If President Buhari failed to check this ugly situation, the country may soon be thrown into unnecessary political crises. Democracy in the country may soon be thrown away.
“If care is not taken and the situation gets out of hand, the country’s democracy may be endangered. Therefore, we should all come together to rescue our democracy.
“If I become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by 2019, one of my cardinal policies will be to reduce the powers of the Nigerian Police by allowing for the establishment of state police in the spirit of true federalism.”
Comments