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Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive
Congress, APC, Chief Timi Frank has written to the United Nations, UN,
accusing President Mohammadu Buhari of tyranny and dictatorship.
Congress, APC, Chief Timi Frank has written to the United Nations, UN,
accusing President Mohammadu Buhari of tyranny and dictatorship.
Frank in the letter to the Secretary general of the UN said Buhari’s style
of government has become a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Read the Letter below:
OPEN LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Secretary/General of the United Nations
H.E. António Guterres
Thru: UN’s Abuja Office
Diplomatic Drive
Central Business Area
Area 1, Garki Abuja.
Sir,
BUHARI AND THREATS TO NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY
Once again, I write to draw your attention to the tyrannical and
undemocratic conducts of agents of the present administration in Nigeria,
led by President Muhammadu Buhari, which if not urgently checked, can lead
to the abortion of the 2019 general elections and irretrievably scuttle
the nation’s hard earned democracy. On Tuesday, the world woke up to a
horrendous report of massive security crackdown against the President of
the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike
Ekweremadu. The residences of the two presiding officers of the Senate
were put under siege by security forces acting on orders from the
presidency.
The siege on the residences of Saraki and Ekweremadu has continued to
receive widespread condemnation from Nigerians who see it as a return of
jackboot dictatorship reminiscent of military regimes in the country. This
is why I want to urge the United Nations not only to condemn the crackdown
against opposition figures and perceived political enemies in the country,
ahead of the 2019 general elections, but to lead other world leaders
including the G-7 nations, European Union, African Union and the Economic
Community of West African States to stop the ongoing security crackdown on
opposition figures and wanton abuse of the fundamental human rights of
Nigerians irrespective of their political persuasions.
Permit me to state that the resort to the use of security forces to
advance political interests by this administration, if not checked, may
sooner than later cascade the entire country into a vortex of cataclysmic
political struggle capable of tearing the economy into shreds, truncate
democracy and lead to unimaginable hardship for the already pauperized and
traumatized masses of this country.
May I also state that the UN must act urgently to protect democracy in
Nigeria and safeguard the precious lives of countless opposition political
actors. This is in view of allegations that certain people are considered
to be in opposition to the re-election bid of Mr. President in 2019. Hence
the Government is believed to have mapped out plans to suppress and, at
the extreme, eliminate them. This may appear to be an unconfirmed report
but as the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. The names of the
perceived enemies of government include the President of the Senate, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, whose
residences were on Tuesday besieged by the police in Abuja, among others.
Recall that the National Chairman of the Reformed All Progressives
Congress (RAPC), Engineer Buba Galadinma and his son were recently
involved in a road mishap. It is telling that the accident occurred
shortly after the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
openly boasted that he was going to “crush him.” The National Chairman of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, Governor of
Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose,
have continued to voice out grave concerns about the their personal
safety. Also on the watch list is a frontline member of the RAPC, Alhaji
Abubakar Kawu Baraje and Senator Dino Melaye, whose convoy was recently
attacked by security forces in Kogi State.
Tuesday’s barbaric attempt to use security forces to create a lacuna in
the Senate in order to force a leadership change was a coup against
democracy in the country. It also underscores the level of desperation by
the present administration to silence the legislative arm of government
which is condemnable. The illegal deployment of heavily armed security
forces to detain and muzzle highly placed opposition figures, both within
the ruling APC and the PDP also amounts to a denial of their inalienable
rights to freedom of association and to hold opinion which are guaranteed
by the nation’s Constitution and several international charters, to which
Nigeria is a proud signatory.
Permit me to say that Nigeria deserves the protection and every help
possible from the international community to sustain its democracy,
protect fundamental rights of citizens and above all to prevent it from
imminent disintegration. The threat against Nigeria’s democracy is an open
secret. I call on the UN all allies of Nigeria to rise to her defence and
help to contain it. The UN and leaders of the free world owe it a duty to
Nigeria as a good standing member of the Common Wealth and comity of
nations, to help prevent this looming political catastrophe before it
snowballs out of control as fears abound that the situation will
degenerate further.
Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.
God bless Nigeria.
Yours sincerely,
Comrade Timi Frank
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC
07033555555