The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised alarm that its governors have been prevented by security agencies apparently acting on “orders from above” from travelling to Ado-Ekiti for the party’s final campaign for the Ekiti State governorship election.
In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday by APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said that at least three Governors ― Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano ― have so far been prevented from making the trip.
It said the helicopter that was to convey Oshiomhole from Benin to Ado-Ekiti was refused permission to take off from the Benin Airport, while the plane that was flying Kwankwaso to Akure was denied permission to land.
According to the APC, while the plane conveying Amaechi actually landed in Akure, his convoy was stopped at the border between Ondo and Ekiti states and ordered to turn back, because he is not cleared to be in Ado-Ekiti.
The party said while 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,” Mohammed said.
“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.”
Mohammed 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,” he continued.
“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.”
He called on Nigerians and the country’s international friends to join in speaking out against the situation before it gets 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.
