ACN condemns brutalisation of Anambra citizens clamouring for LG polls

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Published on Saturday, 02 June 2012 21:53

Written by Okelo Madukaife

Action Congress of Nigeria, Anambra State notes with deep concern, the bizarre trampling on the right of segments of the Anambra Society by the Peter Obi led APGA Government of Anambra State, to the extent of stopping public civic gatherings in two centres in Awka on Maya 29, 2012, using men of the Task Force on

Markets and Parks (Mpiawa Azu) and the Nigerian Police, all carrying loaded gones,on the oders of the Governor, even when May 29 was celebrated in all states of the federation and has so been since 1999. 

We recall that about one month ago the same method was used to halt a civil society march led by the detachment of the Labour movement in Onitsha for the conduct of LG polls. 

For a government that has demonstrated so much detachment from the feelings, cravings and aspirations of the people to have democracy at all levels in Anambra State, the latest draconian   approach is a confirmation that the government does not pretend to have democratic credentials, and this is expected from a government that has not emerged from a democratic process.

First the government of Anambra State is perhaps the only state that did not organise one single event to mark this year’s democracy day. The reason is not far-fetched, the insecure government is not at peace with itself, its derivative party or the people it pretends to look after. This it owes to one common reason-refusal to conduct local government elections in Anambra State, AGAINST THE ASPRATION OF HIS CITIZENS.

Little wonder, the government is so afraid of its own shadow that it uses the available funds that should have been used to develop the state for vent or another on a day set aside for inspiring various security agencies to trample on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association of Ndi Anambra.

This is a sad pointer to the avoidable sights and scenes of our inglorious military dictatorship of the past, and calls for all well-meaning Nigerians to stand up against a growing set of civilian despots who have taken Anambra for a ride in the past six years in an opaque, corrupt and inept government, delivering democratic dividends only in the airwaves of Anambra Broad casting Corporation and on the pages of newspapers and internet list serves.

Our Chapter of our great party is conscious its mission to catalyse the development of Anambra State to the fullness of its potentials and notes that we shall not sit by an watch pace-setting Anambra people treated like moronic subjects, while some civilian despots smile to the banks.

We restate for the avoidance of doubts that there is no obstacle to holding Local Government elections in Anambra State except, Governor Peter Obi and other beneficiaries of the local government fund loot, such as Dubem Obaze, Commissioner ( Or is it Ex-Commissioner ) for Local  Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and  their moles in the State House of Assembly. APGA,PDP and all parties in Anambra State like us support holding the elections now.

Let it be clear to all and sundry that unlike the false claim being peddled by the Peter Obi led government, there is not injunction against the appointment of a new ANSIEC chairman and a proper ANSIEC board, which is a major prerequisite to holding valid LG elections. There is no inhibition against the release of funds to ANSIEC. Hence there is no reason why the date of the election should not be known by now.

We call on the inspector General of Police to call his operatives in Anambra State to order and caution them against being used by anyone no matter how highly placed to oppress the people of the Anambra beyond the level they had already done, whether on their own volition, or based on motivation from rudderless government in the state. 

The right to freely gather, freely speak, freely hold opinions, is an inalienable right guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria. The infringement of the rights done on May 29,2012  should be placed before the courts for proper pronouncements and to serve as a deterrent to those who may dream along that line in future.  

Never, Never and never gain shall any Anambra citizen or resident be colonised or brutalised …NEVER AGAIN!!!.

For: ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA, ANAMBRA CHAPTER

Okelo Madukaife

State Publicity Secretary

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