Presidency, Police threatening Nigeria’s democracy – CAN reacts to Saraki, Ekweremadu’s ordeal

The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned
the Presidency and the Nigeria Police not to do anything capable of
threatening the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

Reacting to the invasion of the official residences of the Senate
President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, CAN warned
the presidency to desist from using the Nigeria Police to pull down
democratic institutions built at a great price, including loss of
lives and imprisonment of many patriots.

CAN spokesman, Bayo Oladeji, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed
concerns over the poor handling of police's invitation to Saraki, over
the infamous Offa robbery saga that led to the death of no fewer than
30 people.

The Christian umbrella body condemned in strong terms the way and
manner the Police were deployed in subjecting the leadership of the
National Assembly to needless embarrassment and harassment.

CAN said: "The ongoing action of the Police is a siege against
democracy. CAN notes with every sense of responsibility that the only
difference between democracy and dictatorship is the presence or
absence of the National Assembly.

"As stakeholders in the survival of the Nigerian democracy, we have no
choice but to speak out against unfolding political imbroglio that is
capable of not portraying Nigeria in good standing in the comity of
nations.

"We caution the Police against being used to threaten democracy. CAN
needs to remind the Nigeria Police that once a suspect has been
invited to any of its offices, the best international practice is to
exercise patience until the invitee fails to honour such an
invitation.

"We are shocked, disappointed and alarmed at the aborted moves by the
Police to stop both the Senate President and his deputy, from
attending Tuesday's proceedings for whatever reasons.

"We urge the Presidency to avoid any action that could threaten the
democracy of our nation. The Nigeria Police are supposed to be neutral
in order to ensure the survival of democracy.

"We call on both leadership of the National Assembly and the
Presidency to stop acting in a manner that constitutes international
disgrace and embarrassment. It is needless to remind the legislative
and executive arms of government to work in synergy for the interest
of our nation's democracy.

"CAN calls on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other
professional bodies, like the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria
Union of Journalists (NUJ), among others, to remain vigilant in
rescuing democracy from forces that are hell-bent in derailing it.

"We appeal to all security agencies to stop being involved in partisan
politics. Nigerians must realise that leadership goes around and comes
around, but our country will continue to remain. CAN calls on all
service chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim
Kpotun Idris, not to destroy our democratic institutions through
needless partisanship."