Ekiti guber: APC chieftain, Frank drags Buhari, APC to UN over Fayose’s ordeal

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives
Congress, APC, Comrade Timi Frank has dragged the ruling party and
President Muhammadu Buhari before the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, UN, António Guterres.

Frank called on the world leader to come to the aid of Nigeria and the
people of Ekiti state in what he described as "dark hour of massive
security crackdown against the people."

He stated that democracy in the country is again being confronted by
massive onslaught allegedly launched by security agents employed and
funded by the country to protect the citizens and safeguard the
nation's territorial integrity.

In an open letter to the UN on Thursday entitled: "Police siege on
Ekiti: Nigeria democracy on trial", the APC chieftain said, "Yesterday
the world saw an appalling form of impunity and brutality against
innocent citizens in Ekiti State apparently in a last ditch effort to
sway the results of this Saturday's gubernatorial election in favour
of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Kayode
Fayemi.

"The rally (road walk) organized by the outgoing Governor of Ekiti
State, Ayo Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not only
disrupted with noxious and harmful gas, Fayose was forcefully
restricted to the Government House – where he was equally gassed. This
renewed intimidation, harassment and attacks against leaders and
members of an opposition political party in Nigeria, has compelled me
to alert you of the threat to peace and democracy in the country as
amply demonstrated by the highhandedness and open display of
intolerance by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and
the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against opposition
political parties in Nigeria.

"There is, therefore, urgent need for the United Nations (UN) under
your leadership to intervene to prevent the ongoing gross violation of
the fundamental human rights of citizens to assemble and the brutal
attacks against the person of Fayose and hundreds of supporters of the
PDP, who had congregated for a grand finale rally in favour of its
candidate in the Election, Professor Olusola Eleka, only to be driven
back to their houses by the police through the use of tear gas and
live ammunitions. Note that the police were recently deployed to the
State by the Federal Government under the guise of maintaining law and
order before, during and after the Saturday election. Regrettably, the
police deployed to the state in addition to the officers and men in
the Ekiti State Police Command have now turned to be an army of
occupation.

"The ongoing police siege on Ekiti State by 30,000 fully armed
policemen in the guise of election duty is nothing but a
well-orchestrated security crackdown on innocent citizens who are
hoping to be allowed to cast their ballot on Saturday and participate
in electing the next governor of the state.

"It has been established by several UN Conventions and human rights'
charter that the right to vote and be voted for is an inalienable
right of a citizens of any country. For the a avoidance of doubt, the
number of police personnel and equipment deployed so far for the Ekiti
election include a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge
of operations, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Four
Commissioners of Police, eight Deputy Commissioners of Police, 30,000
fully armed policemen, two patrol surveillance helicopters, 5
additional armored personnel carriers, 10 amoured personnel vehicles
and 25,000 police patrol vehicles. The above represents police
deployment. Other security agencies will yet make similar
deployments."

While calling on the UN to call the APC-led federal government to
order, Frank said: "I dare say that the unlawful use of the police
against innocent citizens and members of the opposition PDP in Ekiti
is a direct manifestation of the level of desperation of the APC and
the present administration to win the Ekiti Governorship election.

"Let me add that had ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP been
this desperate in 2015, Buhari and APC would never have tasted power.
Impunity has overwhelmed us in Nigeria. And we need help to ensure
that our democracy and voting process is devoid of harassment,
intimidation and undue influence by the government.

"If the open display of barbarity by the police in Ekiti State, is
anything to go by, one can safely say that a worse fate awaits members
and leaders of the opposition political parties during the 2019
general elections.

"The UN and by extension the world cannot afford to condone this open
aggression against a peaceful people gearing up to elect a governor of
their choice! This is why I am calling on you to come to the aid of
Nigeria in this dark hour of massive security crackdown against the
people of Ekiti State.

"Otherwise, chaos and anarchy may soon reign in an unimaginable way
should the people now pushed against the wall be forced to resort to
self help to defend themselves. If a Governor can be treated in such
shabby and inhuman manner, then where lies the hope for the common man
on the streets?" he asked.