Politics
NADECO fumes over soldiers’ presence in S’East, says democracy under threat
Like Senate President Bukola Saraki, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) has stated that the deployment of soldiers with armored tanks to Abia State in the South East is unconstitutional.
It warned that democracy in Nigeria is threatened once again under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government..
According to NADECO, the invasion without the approvals by appropriate legal authorities was unconstitutional and gradual usurpation of power by the Nigerian Army.
The group argued that the military by that action illegally took over the functions of the National Assembly, the Abia State House of Assembly and the legal authorities.
NADECO’s position on the current issue dominating national discourse was contained in a statement issued by its chairman, Rear Admiral Godwin N. Kanu (Rtd). He insisted that the action of the soldiers was “inconsistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and may be the beginning, if not checked, of the unwitting or witting subversion of democracy in Nigeria.”
The statement read in part, “On Sunday 10th of September, 2017, the Nigerian Armed Forces invaded South East Nigeria, and in particular Abia State with a large contingent of soldiers, armored tanks and other military paraphernalia.
“In Abia State, the soldiers invaded communities, tortured civilian population, over-awed the constitutionally elected governor and civil institutions of the state, and declared the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation, in defiance of the judgment of the Federal High Court.
Read also: IPOB: Saraki ‘supporting’ genocide to score cheap political points – Reps
“All of these actions are unconstitutional and represent an illegal take-over of the functions of the National Assembly, the Abia State House of Assembly and the legal authorities. We are very troubled by recent national developments and are forced to issue this warning to all our compatriots that democracy is once again under threat in our nation.”
On the buzz word in the country, restructuring, NADECO said all the arguments was nothing but demand for true federalism. The group said that what Nigeria currently operates is an inverted federation which the Military converted Nigeria to.
“It is clear to us that unless Nigerians fully understand and address what is at stake, those who benefit from the continued instability of Nigeria will continue to create confusion and delay Nigeria from achieving its manifest destiny,” the group said.
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yanju omotodun
September 23, 2017 at 11:49 am
It’s unconstitutional but they have forgotten that the commander in chief of armed forces has the constitutional rights to do so as long it’s a threat to national security
JOHNSON PETER
September 23, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Well, whether it’s constitutional or unconstitutional, I support the federal government move, it’s better to cut the Iroko tree at a tender stage because when it’s fully grown, it becomes tough.
Balarabe musa
September 23, 2017 at 12:55 pm
That’s it. If they had done that to Boko Haram early enough, it won’t have been worst as this
Abeni Adebisi
September 23, 2017 at 2:54 pm
The only thing that is not constitutional is to allow terrorists remain in Nigeria without raising alarm, saying the military took over the work of the national assembly by declaring IPOB terror group is insane and unimaginable.
Animashaun Ayodeji
September 23, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Whether constitutional or not, the army has done us more good by raising everyone’s attention to unveil the type of group IPOB really is.
Abeni Adebisi
September 23, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Exactly the point these people are missing. If the Army didn’t use the word ‘terror group’ for them, most people will not see the evils caused by the IPOB
Anita Kingsley
September 23, 2017 at 3:24 pm
This government is synonymous to military rule, army is discharging the duties of police, national assembly and court of law. They should continue, 2019 is almost here, we will all vote them out the way we voted them into power