Ekiti Invasion: OZEKHOME CONDEMNS BLASTS DSS. ***Says it’s an attempt to muzzle opposition.

Ekiti Invasion: OZEKHOME CONDEMNS BLASTS DSS.
***Says it’s an attempt to muzzle opposition.

Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activists, Chief Mike Ozekhome has condemned the invasion of the Ekiti State House of assembly and arrest of some legislators by the department of state Security (DSS), saying as a hallowed and sacred chamber, the DSS was not the Police or EFCC that arrests.
Consequently, Ozekhome advised the DSS to immediately release the legislators of charge them to any court in the country without delay.

In a statement  in Abuja, Chief Ozekhome said, “The action of the Department of State Security in invading the Ekiti State House of Assembly and taking away legislators is highly condemnable, highly dictatorial and very, very undemocratic.

“A House of assembly is hallowed and sacred and should never be desecrated on any account. The DSS is primarily responsible for security matters and for intelligence gathering within Nigeria for the protection of senior government officials, the President and State governors.

“It is neither the Police nor the EFCC. The invasion is more curious and detestable, happening as it did, in Ekiti state, where the governor, Ayodele Fayose has been a well – known critic of President Muhammadu Buhari, his government and party, APC.

“The impression must not be given that the present government which rode to power on the crest of popular opposition and critical dissent is muzzling opposition or brow beating and intimidating those who hold different opinions.
“ For there to be an invasion of a House of Assembly is a very serious thing which goes against the grain of democratic practice and observance of the rule of law.

“Our constitutional democracy envisages robust opposition, because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

“Nigerian’s freedoms, liberties, rights should be allowed to flourish and should not be abridged or decimated on the altar of political expediency.

“Power itself is ephemeral. Its wielders should always act with discretion, respect for the constitution and extant laws. I call on the DSS to immediately release the legislators, or charge them to any court of the land.”
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