Posted by By Sopuruchi Nwoko on
CENTRE for Constitutional Governance (CCG) has faulted the trials of leaders of the self-determination groups in the country saying that the trials represent the emergence of fascism in Nigeria.
CENTRE for Constitutional Governance (CCG) has faulted the trials of leaders of the self-determination groups in the country saying that the trials represent the emergence of fascism in Nigeria.
Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force; Chief Ralph Uwazuruike of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) as well as Dr. Frederick Fasehun and Alhaji Gani Adams both of Odua People's Congress are currently facing trials in Abuja and Lagos.
The CCG in a statement yesterday signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Beko Ransome-kuti said 'It is unfortunate that at every moment when the federal government is expected to resolve political cleavages through dialogue and consultation, the authorities usually embark on threats and intimidation which merely deepens the crisis and further plunge the country into mayhem."
The CCG said the public suspicion that President Olusegun Obasanjo is interested in a third term bid and that the recent clampdown is aimed at paving way for his personal ambition cannot be dismissed so easily.
According to the statement 'the African Charter and Human and Peoples Right recognises the right to self-determination and the protection of the dignity of the human person, and the manner in which the authorities clamp down on these groups underscores international conventions and the search for genuine transformation of the Nigeria state. Nigeria is a signatory but the country constantly undermines these provisions." Citing article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on December 10, 1948, the CCG Director stated that the Nigerian authorities continually undermine several sections of the United Nations charter which states that ‘everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.' This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."