The Lagos State PDP House of Assembly Candidates Forum 2019 condemned the unlawful arrest, intimidation and persecution of Sen Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke who also doubled as the PDP Governorship Candidate in the 2018 Osun State Gubernatorial Elections.
The arrest was made in flagrant disregard to Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), and hitherto constitute an affront to the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in our Constitution.
It would be recalled that Sen. Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke has been charged before two different High Courts on trump-up charge of Certificate forgery, and a Judgment had been delivered in favour of Sen Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke in one while the other is still pending at the Federal High Court.
The Nigeria Police Force as a law enforcement agency has the duty to respect and project the integrity of all Nigerians and uphold the rule of law. It is bizarre, uncivilized and crude of any law enforcement agency to continue to intermedle, harass, intimidate and persecute a citizen on an issue which two Courts of competent jurisdiction and Election Tribunal have assumed jurisdiction on.
The desperation of Nigeria Police Force with respect to political matters, particularly Sen Adeleke’s, calls for concern as our hard earned democracy is drifting towards a state of anarchy where rule of law is substituted with might.
One may ask, what is the interest of the Nigeria Police Force with the issues that are pending for determination before competent court of law? We advise Nigeria Police Force not to allow itself to be used by APC to subvert the will and wishes of the good people of Osun State, as doing so may lead to breakdown of laws and plunge the peaceful environment into crises.
However we laud the Judiciary, particularly the Magistrate Court which stood for justice despite intimidation and granted the People’s senator bail.
Sen Adeleke who was declared the winner of the Governorship Election in Osun State by the Tribunal is being persecuted by the Police on the instructions of some power-thirsty politicians who believe they can browbeat the Peoples Senator to relinquish his mandate.
The forum called on the Inspector General of Police and President Muhammadu Buhari to call these police personnel to order and follow the rule of law while awaiting the judicial pronouncements on the ongoing litigations.
The Forum calls on all the citizens to remain watchful and discourage/condemn any act that is capable of plunging our country into crises.
Signed.
A.T Muyideen Esq
Chairman, Lagos State PDP House
of Assembly Candidates Forum.
