A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Sani Shinkafi, has condemned the invasion of the immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle’s residences in Gusau and Maradun, Zamfara State, by the Police and Department of State Security Services, on Friday.
Condemning the incident in a statement issued on Friday, Shinkafi described the actions as absurd, disgraceful, and barbaric.
Police and the Officials of DSSS had on Friday laid siege on the residences of the former Governor in Maradun and Gusau, in a manner that some people have described as embarrassing.
Mr Matawelle, of the APC, handed over power to his successor from the Peoples Democratic Party, Governor Dauda Lawal, on the 29th of May 2023, after losing his second term bid as governor of the state to the latter, during the March 18 election in the state.
However, Shinkafi who stated that due process should be followed in every step, called out the security forces for violating Matawelle’s fundamental human rights and disregarding the rule of law, noting Nigeria is not a zoo, where anybody can do what he/she likes without respecting the rule of law.
He, therefore called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of DSS to order the vacation of their personnel from the premises immediately, noting that due process should be followed if the former governor founding wanting anything.
Stating that Nigeria is not a banana republic, Shinkafi warned that such politically motivated actions should not be tolerated, thereby calling for an end to what he referred to as a “show of shame,” to preserve Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy from being bastardized by any lawlessness individuals.
“It is inconceivable that a combined team of the Police and DSS would invade the homes of the immediate past governor of Zamfara State a few days after he handed over power peacefully to Governor Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Nigeria is governed by a rule of law, not might. All lovers of democracy should condemn this dastardly act of the nation’s law enforcement agents who took laws into their hands to invade Matallewe’s homes in Gusau and Maradun in Zamfara State and condoned off roads leading to the houses in flagrant violation of his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended. It is unfair, unjust and unacceptable.
“I call on the Inspector General of Police and Director General of DSS to order their personnel to vacate the occupied premises immediately. If security agents think he has a case to answer they should follow due process of the law. Nigeria is not a banana republic.
“I strongly condemn this politically motivated action of the Police and DSS to embarrass, harass and intimidate the former governor of the state. This show of shame must stop to save our hard-earned democracy,” he stated.