Dasuki: Fayose urges Sultan to prevail on Buhari

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The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has advised the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, to prevail on President Buhari not to allow abuse of human rights under his administration.

While receiving the Sultan in his office, Fayose accused Buhari of presiding over an emerging dictatorship.

He condemned the house arrest of a Sokoto prince and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) which he (Fayose) described as a “flagrant abuse of the Constitution and the rule of law” by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

The governor urged Sultan to prevail on President Buhari not to allow abuse of human rights under his administration, describing Dasuki’s house arrest as an example of injustice and human rights violation under the All Progressives Congress -led government.

Dasuki is currently being probed over alleged mismanagement of N333 billion meant for the purchase of arms for the nation’s armed forces to contain the insurgency in the Northeast.

The Sultan , however, advised leaders in the country to discharge their duties with the fear of God, and work towards unity of people of different religious and political persuasions.

The Sultan who is also the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) was in Ekiti to witness the installation of the state Grand Imam, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as the new President General of League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta States.

Abubakar charged Fayose to continue to carry the people along in his leadership role and treat all ethnic nationalities and religious organizations as equal entities, for the state and Nigeria to move to a higher pedestal in all spheres.

Sultan said: “As leaders, we owe it a duty to lead by example and with the fear of God. If you are a leader, it is left for you to work your way to hell or heaven. God believes strongly in leadership, that is why people must continue to support them rather than fighting them.

“I want Governor Fayose to treat all the various nationalities and religions in Ekiti as one. You must be just in handling their affairs. When there is injustice, no development can take place. When we are just, then there will be security in the society.

“I know that governor Fayose is well loved by the people, but he must continue to work hard for people and most importantly God to love him more.”

Fayose replied: “I take the opportunity of your visit to bare my mind on some national concerns, particularly as it affects the unlawful incarceration of the former NSA, Alhaji Sambo Dasuki.

“President Buhari has proved me right by my claims before the election that Nigeria is in the making of a dictator if he is voted into power.

“By choosing which orders of the court to be obeyed, the President has exhibited his great disdain and disrespect to the judiciary as an independent arm of government and hope of the common man.

“The continuous siege on the residence of the former NSA against a court order is a clear manifestation of fundamental human rights abuse.

“If the president flouts Court orders with impunity, judicial independence will be fatally compromised and Nigeria’s embryonic democracy is in great danger. With this act, the President has left nobody in doubt that Dasuki cannot get fair hearing.

“We hereby call on the international community to support independent human rights observers who are out to monitor former NSA’s prosecution and trial. President Buhari must honour his vow to follow due process and the rule of law.”

Source: The Nation