The Democracy Watch Group (DWG) has condemned in strong terms the “irresponsible, reckless, inciting, inflammatory, provocative, criminal, treasonable, threat to public peace, democracy and national security” statement of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha on the forthcoming general elections.
Alamieyeseigha had declared that the presidency is a bonifade property of the South- South region for now, insisting that President Goodluck Jonathan must be returned as president in next month’s election.
However, in a statement signed by Barr. Wale Ogunade Nelson Ekujumi, Chairman. Gen. Secretary of DWG, the group called on the Nigeria Police to arrest him now.
According to the statement: “In the countdown to the 2015 general elections, Nigerians of all shades and the international community are in agreement that there is need for politicians to make their campaigns, issues focused and avoid hate, provocative and inciting languages in order to avoid threat to public peace and democracy.”
But unfortunately, it seems this admonition has fallen on deaf ears or may be, it can be ascribed to the culture of impunity that has pervaded the land which is dangerous to our democracy and national security.
“Sir, it is in this vein, that we bring to your notice for urgent action, a statement credited to former governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Dipreye Alamieseyeigha as reported in the media whereby he threatened democracy, public peace and national security. Mr. Alamieyeseigha was quoted in “The Guardian newspaper of 15th January, 2015”, thus,
“We shall not allow the Presidency to be occupied by the opposition. It is our bonafide property in the South-South for now and we will not allow it to slip off,” Alamieyesei-gha, who is the chairman of the Presidential Contact Committee (South-South), declared.
“This statement is callous, provocative, inciting and a threat to democracy and national security which demands urgent attention of the security agencies that are charged with the constitutional responsibility of maintaining public peace and threat to the constitution.”
In the light of the above, the Democracy Watch Group demands the following:
1. Immediate arrest of Mr. Dipreye Alamieyesiegha for questioning with regards to his statement.
2. The police must act decisively and professionally without bias against any likely breach of the constitution.
3. The police must step up their game to be alive to their constitutional responsibility now.
As we look forward to a peaceful and credible election, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies are hereby enjoined to wake up to their constitutional duty of maintaining public peace and order by nipping in the bud any likely breach of public peace of which inciting statements is an elixir.”
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