USA Africa Dialogue Series - ANPP wants soldiers withdrawn from South-West, Kaduna

ANPP wants soldiers withdrawn from South-West, Kaduna

JANUARY 24, 2012 BY OLUSOLA FABIYI, ABUJA

The All Nigerian Peoples Party has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw soldiers deployed in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Kaduna states last week, apparently to forestall further street demonstrations against fuel subsidy removal.

The party said it was wrong to deploy the soldiers in the streets when the protests were peaceful.

The National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said in Abuja on Monday that soldiers were trained to defend the country against external aggression and not to harass armless protesters.

He said, "We as a party do not support the use of soldiers to prevent Nigerians from exercising their basis rights, so far it is done peacefully.

"That we have people in the streets, does not call for indiscriminate deployment of soldiers. These soldiers must be withdrawn immediately.

"If the governors need them, they will request for their release. As far as we are concerned, our security has not been threatened to the extent of deployment of soldiers indiscriminately in the states."

He appealed to those in government at all levels to allow the opposition to have a say in the running of their states and their country.

He alleged that the Police in Sokoto State had been frustrating the party in the state.

Onu said, "This is done to weaken the resolve and undermine the morale of our members with the sole purpose of remaining in power at all costs, in the spirit of do-or-die politics, which only brings pain and anguish to the people.

"If unchecked, this would cause disharmony and could disrupt the peace and undermine unity in the state.

"It is the belief of the ANPP that in a democratic environment such as ours, people should be free to choose their leaders through the ballot box, after a careful assessment of the manifestos of political parties, as well as the credibility and the policies of the individuals presenting themselves for elective office.

"Unfortunately in Sokoto State, it is sad that the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police, Sokoto State Command, have allowed itself to be used in carrying out these unlawful acts.

"The government is not comfortable with the large following enjoyed by both our governorship candidate and the party.

"We wish to call on the State Commissioner of Police to respect the laws of our country that give our party leaders and members the freedom of movement and association."

Onu said the state police command on January 12 invited the leadership of his party along with leaders of other political parties in the state to a meeting over the recent fuel subsidy protests.

But to the surprise of the party leaders, he claimed the Sokoto State Chairman of the ANPP, Alhaji Ibrahim Goma, and some other party leaders were arrested and detained on the false charge that they were associated with the fuel subsidy protests in the state.

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