Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has slammed President Bola Tinubu for his attempt to gag the press, as well as the continued detention of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Lawal said in a statement on Wednesday, in response to the APC Spokesman, Felix Morka, who challenged him on his earlier statement that Peter Obi, not Tinubu, would win the 2023 presidential election, that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had taken a different turn than when it was founded in 2013/2014.
Apart from the APC becoming an Islamic party, Nigerians, according to the former SFG, are denied their right to free expression.The former SGF condemned the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission’s threats to journalists while President Tinubu was in office, calling them “unbecoming and unacceptable.”
“When we founded APC in 2013/2014, we imagined it would be a national party that would carry along all the different socio-political and religious tendencies of the nation,” he said.
“In those days, we were careful not to exclude any of the country’s religions or tribes from the party’s membership and leadership.”
“We wanted a party that would welcome all Nigerians.” This informed the principle that the National Chairman and Secretary would not be of the same religion, tribe, or region.
“Unfortunately, the APC has now morphed into the Islamic Party of Nigeria.” All members of the National Working Committee (NWC) from the North and some from the South are Muslims.
“All that remains for the party is a name change, which may not take long given that it already has Kadmul Islam as its national chairman and a Muslim as its national secretary.”
“We want a Nigeria that works for all.” We want a Nigeria that even sycophants can relate to, where everyone is free to pursue their dreams in peace in the pursuit of prosperity and a good life.
“We want a Nigeria that guarantees free speech to its citizens, just as you and I do right now.” If Bola Tinubu claims to have fought Abacha on the side of democracy and free speech, it is unseemly and unacceptable that NBC should threaten journalists while he is in charge.
“It is indefensible to detain the EFCC chairman and the CBN governor for extended periods of time without or before trial, and it is also unacceptable that political parties are used to intimidate and harass citizens who express their opinions in public.”
“I am sure that no Nigerian is enjoying the national shame and embarrassment we are going through as a result of these unending revelations as to who or what our “President” actually is; or that most Nigerians cannot be sure of at least one meal a day anymore; or that we can no longer attend wedding ceremonies in Imo or Zamfara States due to insecurity.”
