Benue Impeachment Plot: Nigerians Must Reject Prison Yard Democracy – Tambuwal
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Tuesday admonished Nigerians to as a matter of right reject what he described as “prison-yard’’ democracy, epitomized by the despicable meddlesomeness, rascality and high-handedness of some security agencies against democratic institutions in Nigeria in recent times.
He specifically said that any attempt to bully people out of their legitimate, democratic choices is a war against democracy, the rights of the citizenry that power is the unique people-oriented system of governance.
Speaking after critical appraisal of Monday’s blockade to the Benue State House of Assembly by police and other security agencies in addition to other perceived violations of the country’s democratic culture including the attacks on the National Assembly. Tambuwal noted that the developments is clearly an aberrations that go against the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.
In his words; “Nigerians must, in strong terms, say no to prison-yard democracy, where the rights of the citizenry are shackled to the caprices of a few, as if we now run a nation of helpless inmates.
“If the people of Nigeria are so unfortunate to endure the growling nightmare occasioned by deprivation of most things that a democracy should ordinarily provide; If they are now accustomed to the pangs of hunger, unemployment, shabby infrastructure, poor healthcare and general hopelessness, they should, in the interest of democracy and the youths, stand against anything that has the potential of robbing them of their inalienable rights to live and make choices as free citizens.
“These are unfortunate incidents, an aberration, a reprehensible attack on the fundamental human rights and privileges of fellow Nigerians and a direct attack on our fledgling democracy. We should condemn this crass and impudent exhibition of uncivilized conduct, so that we can keep peace and maintain a civilized society,” Tambuwal enthused.
Speaking on the leverage democracy accorded the people, the Sokoto State governor said that fundamentally, democracy is about freedom, choices and association, adding that it is about the people and the supremacy of the will of the people.
He continued; “Democracy, loses its essential value when the overall interest of the people takes a back seat in any supposedly democratic setting. Legitimate political choices and movements, including cross-carpeting, are part of a democratic enterprise.
Tambuwal also called leaders at all levels, to guard their utterances in order not to drive the nation further down the path of divisiveness and ethnic/religious mistrust, saying; “Let us water our democracy, using the fountains of equity, fairness and justice for all.”
