Saraki has condemned the invasion and searching of the home of elder statesman and the man a few days ago, he called his ‘father’, Chief Edwin Clark by the Nigerian Police, saying such actions constitute a threat to democracy.
The Senate President who was reacting to the statement released by the Nigerian Police Force a few hours ago, condemning and denying ordering the search on the home of Chief Edwin Clark, said since the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has denied authorizing the invasion, there should be a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter to prevent future reoccurrences.
Senator Saraki who himself was alleged to have faced similar incident, even as a Senate President, and this invasion coming shortly after he paid a visit to the leader of the South-South people, in a statement he released a few hours ago, feared Democracy is in danger in Nigeria. He said:
“The unwarranted harassment of Chief Edwin Clark, who is known for being very vocal in expressing his views on national issues, at a time when the nation is preparing for elections does not reflect well on the country. Such actions constitute a threat to democracy.”
“Chief Clark, who is also a Second Republic Senator and former minister under the General Gowon administration is not above the law. If there is a genuine reason for his home to be searched by law enforcement agencies, nobody will object to it. However, as it appears now, for the Police to conduct a raid on the home of a man of that age on the pretence that they were looking for arms and eventually — the claim turned out to be a hoax — means that something is amiss.”
“These actions represent a gross abuse of state institutions.”
“Now that the Inspector General of Police has denied that the raid was never authorized, the next move should be a thorough, transparent investigation into the Senator Edwin Clark incident to prevent future reoccurrences.”
Senator Saraki who recently declared his intention to run for the President of Nigeria come 2019, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Nigeria and Nigerians especially state Institutions must allow Democracy to work in Nigeria, and that it is very important for Nigeria to experience a peaceful change in 2019 just like what happened in 2015. He said:
“These kinds of ugly developments must stop. This country experienced a peaceful change in 2015 because the government in power allowed democracy to work. If the government had allowed the flagrant abuse and misuse of state institutions to be the norm, we would not have had the change that occurred.”
“Democracy is not only about elections. Circumstances that will create tension in any part of the country or make people feel that their fundamental human rights are being trampled upon should be avoided.”
“If a man of the caliber and status of Senator Edwin Clark can suffer such an unwarranted raid on his home, then what will happen to ordinary Nigerians as we move towards the 2019 polls and beyond?” he asked.
This will be the second time incident such as this will be happening, and they have all occurred in the absence of the President, each time he is out of the country.
There was the case of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) siege on the National Assembly which saw the sacking of the head of the service Lawal Daura, and now the unauthorized search of the home of Chief Edwin Clark by four policemen, which the police has since apologized for and same allegedly accepted by Chief Clark.
…but we still await the response from the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on this latest drama….lol