The Campaign for Democracy (CD), has cried out over harassment from security authorities following the decision of some civil society organizations to raise questions on the uncertainty surrounding the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement issued Thursday morning, a member of CD, Idris Usman alleged that he was invited for questioning by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday ahead of a planned press conference on the state of the nation.
He disclosed that security operatives ransacked his hotel room Thursday morning without taking away anything.
The Statement read, “I am Idris Usman and l have been an activist for years. I have fought for what is right, I have fought governments that seek to trample upon the will of the people and that has been my calling.
“I spoke up during Obasanjo’s regime; also Yar Adua’s regime and during Jonathan’s government l was not silent either.
“And in all that time l was not harassed, l was not seen as a threat to anyone or the country.
“Under this government l have faced harassment from every corner…l was embarrassed at the airport a while ago while embarking on a trip.
“And just yesterday l was invited by the DSS on a planned press conference on the state of the nation and l stood my ground before them; saying if they want me to cancel the press conference they should get the President to address the nation.
“That a sick President cannot rule a sick nation, we need a strong President to rule a sick nation.
“As at this morning, security operatives stormed my hotel room and ransacked everywhere turning the whole place upside down.
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“I wasn’t arrested and l am not sure what they came in search of, but l am certain they found nothing mostly because there was nothing to be found.
“The truth about it all is, how long are we going to continue this way?
“How long are we going to allow ourselves to be intimidated and be harassed and our freedom of speech threatened?
“I have resolved and nothing can stop me: we will not have a press conference anymore rather we will organize a protest to demand that the President addresses the nation and nothing can stop us.
“We will demand that the true state of health of our President be made known as opposed to all the rumours and conspiracy theories currently making the rounds.
“I call on all true Nigerians, all sincere and well-meaning citizens of this great nation. Comrades, this is our country. This is not APC or PDP, this is Nigeria and we are Nigerians.
“We must understand one thing an abuse to one is abuse to all, an injury to one is an injury to all, and intimation to one is an intimidation to all.
“I call on you all to join the cause and let us all stand together as Nigerians and stop these cabals who play on our intelligence and who see us as gullible people to be deceived and fed lies to on a daily basis.
“We must resist these set of people at all cost, join me as we gather on Tuesday at the Unity Fountain to prove to Nigerians that we are not activists that believe in our own comfort alone but believe even more in defending and representing the interest of the larger population.
“This is a cause for which we must stand and fight, this government has proven to be lacking in integrity and we must take a stand and stand on our ground. Thank you.”
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