Group Expresses Worries Over Alleged Plots To Freeze Opposition Bank Accounts

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Nigeria 2015 Election Monday, March 2nd, 2015

By Niyi Adeyi, Lagos – A Non-Government organization (NGO), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed worries over the alleged plots to cripple the campaign camp of the opposition by freezing the bank accounts of its financiers.

Consequently, the group in a statement Sunday by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, alerted Nigerians and the international community to the dangers inherent in what it described “tyrannical, oppressive and diabolical moves” lamenting that Nigeria might be sliding “into a one-party cum police state”.

“By embarking on such desperate maneuvers after being in power for sixteen years, the Peoples Progressive Party (PDP) has exposed itself as an intolerant institution.

“We cannot envision a free and fair election in an atmosphere of suppression. There can be no true democracy if the opposition cannot enjoy a level playing ground, nay, if the opposition is being strangulated. If the ruling party cannot sow seeds of nobility in its political path, it should not break the pot of integrity from where others can water a new, purer and safer political culture. We strongly condemn a political landscape that lacks the spirit of sportsmanship and totally devoid of integrity” MURIC asserted.

The group has therefore called on Federal Government to consider the serious implications of the alleged plots, which it declared lacked justifiable reason.

MURIC insisted that the moves if actualized, would amount to abuse of power, “illegal, unconstitutional and therefore unacceptable” as well as as an invitation to anarchy.

It contended “Democracy is a farce when government pursues a policy of exclusiveness. No section of the community must be alienated in a democracy. Equal participation, liberty, justice and fair play are the key words in any democracy worth its salt. The founding fathers of the Nigerian nation laid emphasis on participatory democracy.

“Any attempt to turn governance into the right of only one political party will be a declaration of hostilities on the citizens of Nigeria. We therefore warn against freezing the accounts of known financiers of the opposition or tampering with the flights arranged by them”.

Meanwhile, the organization has advised the Federal Government to leave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as presently constituted until after the elections, noting eyes were currently on Nigeria and the whole world would cry foul particularly if INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega was removed as being contemplated in certain circles.

MURIC argued that it was like changing the referee after the game has started, but said this contradicted the international best practices.

The Nigerian media was awash last week with allegation by the ruling party of plot to frustrate opposition campaign by freezing the bank accounts of its financiers and grounding their private jets.