CAN condemns siege on Saraki, Ekweremadu’s residences

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to Tuesday’s siege on the residences of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

In a statement, the association described the action of the security operatives as ”a siege against Nigeria’s democracy”.

The statement signed by the media assistant to the CAN President, Adebayo Oladeji, warned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigeria Police to desist from threatening Nigeria’s democracy.

“We express grave concerns over the poor handling of police’s invitation to the Senate President, Saraki, over the infamous Offa robbery saga that led to the death of no fewer than 30 people. And the alleged plan by the EFCC to arrest Ekweremadu over alleged money laundry.

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

CAN said the police force should avoid making itself ”an instrument of any arm if government since it is constitutionally supposes to be a neutral body.”

It also called on civil societies in the country to speak up in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.

“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.”

It was reported that security operatives blocked the residences of the Senate leaders on Tuesday, in what has been described as an attempt to stop a massive defection of members out of the ruling All Progressive Congress during Tuesday’s plenary.