Saraki, Ekweremadu: Police Laying ‘Siege Against Democracy’ – CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has slammed the Nigeria Police Force, describing their conduct on Tuesday against Dr Bukola Saraki and Dr Ike Ekweremadu as “a siege against democracy”.

Recall that the police, alongside some other law enforcement agencies, reportedly besieged the residences of the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President in the early hours of yesterday for allegedly delaying in responding to their summons.

The police claimed they summoned Saraki over the Offa bank robbery incident, while Ekweremadu was by the EFCC over his alleged undeclared assets case.

But there were speculations that the agencies summoned the Senate leadership so as to prevent the defection of several lawmakers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that took place yesterday.

Reacting to the whole development, CAN’s President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, read the riot act to security agencies on Wednesday.

Speaking in a statement by his spokesperson, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, Ayokunle said: “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 laundering. 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.”