Nigeria gradually receding into authoritarianism under Buhari [Ohanaeze]

The National Executive Council, NEC, of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, yesterday, accused the Federal Government of “receding into an authoritarian regime” as it now picks outspoken Nigerians and detains them without trial.

Rising from its meeting in Enugu yesterday, Ohanaeze gave the example of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who it said was recently arrested and detained for several days without being told the reasons for his incarceration.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Media Aide of the President General of the association, Chief Emeka Attamah.

The statement read in part, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the recent arrest, detention and harassment of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe by the Department of State Services, DSS.

“Abaribe’s detention was an aberration because under the law, nobody should be detained for more than 48 hours without being charged to court or released.

“His incarceration and harassment could make others with the interest of the nation at heart to develop cold feet instead of contributing ideas to the growth of the nation.

“Ohanaeze regretted that by the action of the Federal Government, the country is gradually receding into authoritarianism.”

“Rather than compare the number of casualties, the Federal Government should rejig its security apparatus, stop further killings and appease the families and communities affected by the senseless killings.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo observes that while the Federal Government proscribed IPOB a harmless organization, Miyetti Allah which has openly claimed responsibility for most of the attacks for just the killing or rustling of their cattle has been going around .

“If government could label IPOB a terrorist organization, there was no reason that Miyetti Allah, the umbrella body of cattle herders should not be proscribed and their leaders prosecuted.

The National Executive Council, NEC, of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, yesterday, accused the Federal Government of “receding into an authoritarian regime” as it now picks outspoken Nigerians and detains them without trial.

Rising from its meeting in Enugu yesterday, Ohanaeze gave the example of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who it said was recently arrested and detained for several days without being told the reasons for his incarceration.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Media Aide of the President General of the association, Chief Emeka Attamah.

The statement read in part, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the recent arrest, detention and harassment of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe by the Department of State Services, DSS.

“Abaribe’s detention was an aberration because under the law, nobody should be detained for more than 48 hours without being charged to court or released.

“His incarceration and harassment could make others with the interest of the nation at heart to develop cold feet instead of contributing ideas to the growth of the nation.

“Ohanaeze regretted that by the action of the Federal Government, the country is gradually receding into authoritarianism.”

“Rather than compare the number of casualties, the Federal Government should rejig its security apparatus, stop further killings and appease the families and communities affected by the senseless killings.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo observes that while the Federal Government proscribed IPOB a harmless organization, Miyetti Allah which has openly claimed responsibility for most of the attacks for just the killing or rustling of their cattle has been going around .

“If government could label IPOB a terrorist organization, there was no reason that Miyetti Allah, the umbrella body of cattle herders should not be proscribed and their leaders prosecuted.

“Ohanaeze is asking: how many suspected Fulani herdsmen have been taken to court for either the killings in the country or for carrying Ak-47 rifles about in the full glare of security operatives, contrary to the provisions of the law.”