CANS warns Presidency against violation of Democracy
The leadership of Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) has warned the Presidency
and the Nigeria Police not to do anything
capable of threatening the survival of
democracy in Nigeria.
Reacting to the invasion of the official
residences of the Senate President, Bukola
Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu,
CAN warned the presidency to desist from
using the Nigeria Police to pull down
democratic institutions built at a great
price, including loss of lives and
imprisonment of many patriots.
CAN spokesman, Bayo Oladeji, in a
statement on Tuesday, expressed concerns
over the poor handling of police’s invitation
to Saraki, over the infamous Offa robbery
saga that led to the death of no fewer than
30 people.
The Christian umbrella body condemned in
strong terms the way and manner the
Police were deployed in subjecting the
leadership of the National Assembly to
needless embarrassment and harassment.
CAN said: “The ongoing action of the Police
is a siege against democracy. CAN notes
with every sense of responsibility that the
only difference between democracy and
dictatorship is the presence or absence of
the National Assembly.
“As stakeholders in the survival of the
Nigerian democracy, we have no choice but
to speak out against unfolding political
imbroglio that is capable of not portraying
Nigeria in good standing in the comity of
nations.
“We caution the Police against being used
to threaten democracy. CAN needs to
remind the Nigeria Police that once a
suspect has been invited to any of its
offices, the best international practice is to
exercise patience until the invitee fails to
honour such an invitation.
READ What we want Buhari to do,
CAN President reveals
“We are shocked, disappointed and alarmed
at the aborted moves by the Police to stop
both the Senate President and his deputy,
from attending Tuesday’s proceedings for
whatever reasons.
“We urge the Presidency to avoid any action
that could threaten the democracy of our
nation. The Nigeria Police are supposed to
be neutral in order to ensure the survival of
democracy.
“We call on both leadership of the National
Assembly and the Presidency to stop acting
in a manner that constitutes international
disgrace and embarrassment. It is needless
to remind the legislative and executive arms
of government to work in synergy for the
interest of our nation’s democracy.
“CAN calls on Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs) and other professional bodies, like
the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Medical
Association (NMA), Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ), among others, to remain
vigilant in rescuing democracy from forces
that are hell-bent in derailing it.
“We appeal to all security agencies to stop
being involved in partisan politics.
Nigerians must realise that leadership goes
around and comes around, but our country
will continue to remain. CAN calls on all
service chiefs, including the Inspector
General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, not
to destroy our democratic institutions
through needless partisanship.”
Nigeria (CAN) has warned the Presidency
and the Nigeria Police not to do anything
capable of threatening the survival of
democracy in Nigeria.
Reacting to the invasion of the official
residences of the Senate President, Bukola
Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu,
CAN warned the presidency to desist from
using the Nigeria Police to pull down
democratic institutions built at a great
price, including loss of lives and
imprisonment of many patriots.
CAN spokesman, Bayo Oladeji, in a
statement on Tuesday, expressed concerns
over the poor handling of police’s invitation
to Saraki, over the infamous Offa robbery
saga that led to the death of no fewer than
30 people.
The Christian umbrella body condemned in
strong terms the way and manner the
Police were deployed in subjecting the
leadership of the National Assembly to
needless embarrassment and harassment.
CAN said: “The ongoing action of the Police
is a siege against democracy. CAN notes
with every sense of responsibility that the
only difference between democracy and
dictatorship is the presence or absence of
the National Assembly.
“As stakeholders in the survival of the
Nigerian democracy, we have no choice but
to speak out against unfolding political
imbroglio that is capable of not portraying
Nigeria in good standing in the comity of
nations.
“We caution the Police against being used
to threaten democracy. CAN needs to
remind the Nigeria Police that once a
suspect has been invited to any of its
offices, the best international practice is to
exercise patience until the invitee fails to
honour such an invitation.
READ What we want Buhari to do,
CAN President reveals
“We are shocked, disappointed and alarmed
at the aborted moves by the Police to stop
both the Senate President and his deputy,
from attending Tuesday’s proceedings for
whatever reasons.
“We urge the Presidency to avoid any action
that could threaten the democracy of our
nation. The Nigeria Police are supposed to
be neutral in order to ensure the survival of
democracy.
“We call on both leadership of the National
Assembly and the Presidency to stop acting
in a manner that constitutes international
disgrace and embarrassment. It is needless
to remind the legislative and executive arms
of government to work in synergy for the
interest of our nation’s democracy.
“CAN calls on Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs) and other professional bodies, like
the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Medical
Association (NMA), Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ), among others, to remain
vigilant in rescuing democracy from forces
that are hell-bent in derailing it.
“We appeal to all security agencies to stop
being involved in partisan politics.
Nigerians must realise that leadership goes
around and comes around, but our country
will continue to remain. CAN calls on all
service chiefs, including the Inspector
General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, not
to destroy our democratic institutions
through needless partisanship.”
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