The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm that its
Governors are being prevented by security agencies apparently acting on
”orders from above” from travelling to Ado-Ekiti for the party’s final
campaign on Friday for the Ekiti State Governorship election on Friday.
In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said at least three Governors –
Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Rabiu Kwankwanso of
Kano – have so far been prevented from making the trip
It said the helicopter that was to ferry Gov. Oshiomhole from Benin to
Ado-Ekiti was refused permission to take off from the Benin Airport, while
the plane that was flying Gov. Kwankwanso to Akure was denied permission
to land.
According to the APC, while the plane carrying Gov. Amaechi actually
landed in Akure, his convoy was stopped at the border between Ondo and
Ekiti States and ordered to turn back, because he would not be allowed to
reach Ado-Ekiti.
The party said while Gov. Amaechi’s convoy was being detained in order to
force him to turn back, the convoys of the Ministers of Defence and Police
Affairs came and were allowed to pass.
”These acts are illegal and definitely not in line with the Electoral Act,
which stipulates that campaign for the election will only end at midnight
on Friday.
”It also represents a manipulation of the electoral process when all the
candidates will not be allowed a level playing field to campaign for the
election. There is no clearer manifestation of the federal government’s
allergy to free, fair, transparent and violence-free election than this,”
the party said.
It condemned in the strongest terms the abuse of national institutions and
the abuse of power which these actions represent, especially because only
the Federal Government has control over these institutions, including the
security agencies that have now become a
tool in the hands of an increasingly-desperate government of the day.
”Several months ago, we warned that Nigeria under the watch of President
Goodluck Jonathan was sliding into fascism and we were pilloried in
certain quarters for daring to make such a statement.
Today, we have sadly been vindicated.
”Not even in the worst days of the abhorrent military dictatorship were
things done this brazenly, with citizens being denied their fundamental
rights of free movement, free assembly and free expression, all because of
the desperation by the ruling party to win elections at all costs.
”We therefore call on all good people of Nigeria and indeed all the
country’s international friends to speak out against what is happening
before things get out of hand. If democratically-elected Governors could
be so shabbily treated, despite the high office they occupy, what will
happen to ordinary Nigerians in the hands of an increasingly-fascist
government?” APC queried