- PDP Reps Caucus
By Gift Chapi Odekina
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned the recent arrest of Mr. Tanko Salihi Yakassai, a former aide to Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State by agents of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement signed by the caucus leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers State) at the weekend, the caucus expressed concern over it referred to as continuous breach of freedom of expression by President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime.
He said ” As a Caucus, we note with very serious concern, the continuous breach and denigration of democratic ethos and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) by President Muhammadu Buhari.”
“Particularly in view of constitutionally guaranteed safeguards in Chapters IV thereof on freedom of speech, and also the provision of Section 14(1) of the said Constitution which provides that “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State base on the principles of democracy and social justice.”
“Recall that only recently, some armed bandits abducted secondary school girls from a Zamfara State Government owned secondary school in Jangebe, following which Mr. Yakassai had criticized persons in authority, including President Muhammadu Buhari and reiterated our called for the resignation of the President over his failure to curb or effectively deal with the general state of insecurity across the country.”
“Mr. Yakassai had also lamented that the current administration has failed Nigerians at all levels which led to his removal as the Special Adviser on Media to the Kano State Governor.”
Rep. Chinda noted that the Caucus is proud of and salutes the stance, uncommon boldness, courage and statesmanship shown by Mr. Yakassai and a few other Nigerians for standing firm to say the truth.
However, he noted with utmost surprise and disappointment the rationale behind the arrest of Mr Yakassai by the DSS for standing by and speaking the truth to power.
He said “We are indeed greatly worried and take cognisance of the fact that the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government has consistently failed in its responsibility of preserving the Constitution which he swore to defend and uphold, particularly with respect to the protection of the lives of Nigerians as guaranteed in S.14(2) of the Constitution and his social contract with Nigerians during his electioneering campaigns.”
We hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to pay particular attention to the message (as delivered by Mr. Yakassai and other well-meaning Nigerians), rather than focus on the messenger. For how long will he continue to fiddle while the country burns?
Consequently, we hereby call on the DSS and other relevant authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Yakassai.
