2019: Call El-Rufai, Bello to order, ADP tells Buhari

February 23, 2018 By Bode Olagoke

Abuja

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and his counterpart in Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, over what it called “intolerance” of the two chief executives towards oppositions. The ADP made the call in reaction to the alleged destruction of its bill boards in Kogi state and the demolition of APC factional secretariat in Kaduna state, ostensibly by the two APC governors. The opposition party regretted that contrary to President Buhari’s promise to play by the rules and not do anything to truncate democracy or present himself as authoritarian, “the actions of the two state governors were capable of truncating democracy.” Addressing a news conference yesterday in Abuja, the ADP national chairman, Engr. Sani Yabaji, said the opposition party needs the assurance that politicians do not have to go under in the journey towards 2019. According to Yabaji, if Mallam El-Rufai could do this against his party men, what will be the fate of the real opposition parties like the Action Democratic Party? “Only last week ADP properties were vandalized in Kogi State and our members threatened. The APC-led government has become despotic such that Nigerians now enjoy limited rights and live with palpable fear of their government. “We at the ADP are worried and afraid that unless Nigerians are alerted and made to speak up against the current intolerance and brigandage of the APC governors we may all quietly be signing off 2019 to democracy terrorists and unrepentant despots pretending to be democrats. “Shockingly and most unfortunately, Governor of Kaduna State in an action difficult to explain has not only tyrannically demolished the house of a Senator opposed to his style of governance, but has apparently began to mobilize against his 2019 return bid. “Will landlords be willing to rent their houses to political parties anymore? Will decent Nigerians not be afraid of joining political parties? If governors can use state powers and resources to demolish properties of opposition voices, will it be difficult for them to kill, maim and destroy individuals who stand up against them?” While calling on President Buhari to speak up against the new political trend, the ADP national chairman said: “President Buhari should come out to denounce El Rufai and order the reconstruction of the demolished house. If not Nigerians may go with the impression that the Kaduna governor is playing the Buhari script for 2019.

“Let the President speak up and totally condemn El-Rufai. Note that the worst intolerant regime we had, never go to the extent of bulldozing houses of opposition, many of who are members of the APC today.”

Originally published at www.blueprint.ng on February 23, 2018.