May 20th, 2007
PRESS STATEMENT
DEMOCRACY vs FASCISM
'I want to emphasise that the law is very clear on demonstration, rallies and meetings.
You must be very firm in the way you approach rallies and meetings.
You have my authority to disperse all illegal assemblies in whatever guise they come.
You have the Public Order Act. It does not matter the category of persons involved.
We have given you sufficient teargas.'
---IGP Sunday Ehindero 16th May 2007
'Democracy allows for peaceful protests, where such protests are hindered, it gives rise to violent protests.
If you have democracy where a few have all the money, pretty soon, everyone will go to the streets.
We have to be very careful.'
---Amb, Andrew Young 18th May 2007
The Nigerians United for Democracy {NUD}, highly commends Ambassador Andrew Young, for being a true son of Africa and for appreciating the fact that Nigerian Democracy is dangerously sliding into fascism. We need people like Amb Young to continuosly remind despots on the prowl in Nigeria in the past years and their descendants that Nigerians truly yearn for genuine democracy.
A democracy where the rule of law is not only obeyed but the sanctity of the ballot box and other core ingredients of democracy are inherent in the day to day administration of human affairs. Not a quasi democracy where the contempt of rule of law and disregard of the Constitution is the order of the day, where officers like Ehindero thrives best.Otherwise under a sane leadership Ehindero could have retired long ago as provided by the Police Service Commission Act, his rantings could have been to his grandchildren.
IGP Ehindero needs be reminded that the Public Order Act he is quoting has been set asideby the judgement of Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federla High Court Abuja and the appeal lodged by the Police is coming up on June 16th and therefore the judgement has not been set aside. It could be recalled that the Conference of Nigeria Political parties{CNPP} went to the Court pleading for repeal of the colonial law.
At any rate the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of assembly, as the United Nations and Africa Unions Charter of which Nigeria is a signatory. We are at a loss on which law Ehindero is predicating his riot act on?
NUD salutes the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Bar Association and Civil Society Organisations, for their committment for enthronement and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, we are in league with all patriots who are committed to free, fair and transparant election, upon which leadership with peoples consent can emerge.
The mass action planned must proceed as scheduled and planned as we do not expect foreigners nor ghosts to rescue Nigerian democracy from predators, it is the duty of all patriots to rally round in defence and restoration of democracy. Failure to do so will lead to slavery.
As Amb. Young pointed out, the desperation of President Olusegun Obasanjo and cohorts to remain in power through illegitimate process is to protect the commonwealth of the people they cornered through dubios privatisation excercise,late minute auctioning of state owned enterprises, oilblocks and minning sites.
NUD calls on all patriots to stand up and save our fatherland from those who subverted our franchise, for the struggle must continue post May 29th as a reciever of stolen good is also a thief.
ALUTA CONTNUA!
Osita Okechukwu
Secretary
Publicity Committee
NUD
