An advocacy group, Advocacy for Peace, Justice and Order, Say No To Violence in Ebiraland, has condemned alleged remarks by former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, calling for the arrest and prosecution of opposition leaders whom he described as “political criminals.”
In a statement issued on Saturday in Lokoja and signed by its spokesperson, Alhaji O.A. Mamman, Ph.D. in view, the group described the alleged comments as a direct threat to democratic governance, civil liberties and the rule of law.
According to the group, democracy can only flourish where opposition parties are allowed to operate freely, hold governments accountable, promote transparency and present alternative political ideas.
It argued that any attempt to portray opposition figures as criminals could fuel political intimidation and undermine Nigeria’s democratic values.
The group also recalled an alleged statement attributed to Bello before the 2023 general elections, in which he reportedly warned that anyone who opposed his political ambition would be sent to a place where they would “never see the light of the sun or the moon.”
Mamman said the alleged threat was widely interpreted as a reference to death, adding that it was never carried out due to what he described as the vigilance of Nigerians and relevant institutions.
The group expressed concern that, with another election cycle approaching, Bello was allegedly encouraging the current administration to arrest and prosecute opposition figures under the pretext of combating “political criminals.”
It called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney-General of the Federation, the judiciary and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to closely examine the alleged statements and take appropriate action.
The statement noted that President Tinubu himself once served as a prominent opposition leader and understands the importance of protecting dissenting voices in a democratic system.
The advocacy group also appealed to civil society organisations and the international community to monitor political developments in the country and ensure that no individual uses influence or power to intimidate or silence legitimate opposition.
It maintained that democracy should never be reduced to a system where opposing political views are criminalised or where citizens are victimised for exercising their constitutional rights.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, justice and the protection of every Nigerian’s right to participate freely in the nation’s democratic process without fear of intimidation or harassment.
