Nigeria’s Democracy Must be protected - Ekweremadu Warned

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has stated that it is not unlikely for the military to take over, as he noted that the nation’s democracy is receding.

Ekweremadu made his comment in reaction to a motion sponsored by Ahmed Ogembe, the senator representing Kogi Central.

Ogembe alleged that the Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, organized thugs to disrupt an empowerment programme for his constituents, which he had organized.

The Deputy Senate President warned that Nigeria’s democracy must not be turned into a joke, as he cited various instances where federal lawmakers have been harassed.

Ekweremadu told the Kogi governor that “the road he is travelling will not lead him anywhere.”

He continued: “You will recall that sometime last year when they wanted to recall Dino, I advised the governor that they are wasting the resources of that state, that it is mission impossible.

“They took three pages in the newspaper abusing me. Are we still hearing the recall today? Money has been wasted. If he doesn’t stop, there is no how he will come back in 2019, never, no he will not.

“God will show him that he is a God of justice; and this is a message to all those people who have caused all kinds of problem in Nigeria at different levels.

“The problem in Nigeria is that our democracy is receding. Who says the army cannot take over? Let us not joke with our democracy that is the issue. The house of a senator was destroyed in Kaduna state. We also are talking about Kwankwaso, who was stopped from going to his state where he ruled for eight years.

“In Kaduna, Shehu Sani cannot organise a meeting, and we are talking about a democracy.”

Meanwhile the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, had already warned army officials to stay off politics and politically related activities.

Buratai said this in a statement issued by the former spokesman of the Army, Brig Gen Sani Usman.

He said: “This is to inform the public that the chief of army staff (COAS), Nigerian army, has received information that some individuals have been approaching some officers and soldiers for undisclosed political reasons. On the basis of that, he has warned such persons to desist from these acts.”