O' di égwu, Free Senator Enyi Abaribe

Sometimes, one has to ponder on the issues with Democracy, when the electorate and the lawmakers are not free. Only a few months ago, we had of Senator Dino Melaye being arrested and detained for an unfounded story. A few days ago, it is now the issue with Senator Enyi Abaribe being arrested and detained. Is this what Nigerians voted for? Who is free now to speak for you if your outspoken Senators are being made to keep quiet. I say no to such injustice. It is already going viral that Senator Abaribe should be free. He is an honest civilian, an ex-deputy governor of Abia State and has served Nigerians, the Igbos and the Ngwa people of Aba in his community, showing the unreserved out-spoken attitude we have as Ngwas.

I speak unreservedly that this act should be looked into, and more focus should be on making Nigeria better, more peaceful and more economically friendly. Aba made goods should be enough to bring in over 10 million investors to 180 million Nigerians. Why will there be an arrest that is not open in a "transparent" democracy? Like Fela said, democracy has a different definition, and people thought he was joking. We must speak up and be true to one another.

The Senator representing Abia South senatorial district in the Senate, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe was detained after The Department of State Services, DSS, arrested Abaribe without disclosing reasons for his arrest. However, the arrest was widely criticised by a cross-section of Nigerians. It was reported that his arrest was closely related to Nnamdi Kanu's case and his opposition to the reduction of the Enugu airport budget.

It is noteworthy that: one will find the arrest of the senator fishy few hours after he exposed an insertion of an illegal addition if N30billion into the budget of the power sector questionable, undemocratic and a criminal attempt to cover up the monumental corrupt acts perpetrated by the Presidency or folks in his cabinet in the 2018 budget appropriations. In addition, the senator had said he was unhappy that the budget allocation for the Enugu airport terminal was reduced by N500 million from the 2 billion that was first submitted by the executive. He was reportedly arrested by DSS personnel at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, where he went to attend a function.

Whose report will I believe? Which one is which? O' di égwu, all I am saying is that he should be free. Free Sen Abaribe ooo

According to Guardian, "It was not clear why the vocal lawmaker was arrested, but Abaribe has been very critical of President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration’s policies in recent times. It would be recalled that on June 7, Abaribe had asked Buhari to declare December 31 as Democracy Destruction Day to mark the coup he led to end Nigeria’s Second Republic in 1983. Abaribe stated this on the floor of the Senate while contributing to the debate on the President’s declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day.

Reacting to the arrest, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed fears over the safety of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, (PDP Abia), who was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS). The party lamented that the Gestapo-style arrest of Abaribe has further confirmed the earlier alarm that the APC-led federal government has commenced a total clampdown on the opposition and perceived opponents of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid.

The party alleged that the clampdown on Senator Abaribe might be in furtherance of the moves to intimidate and emasculate members of the National Assembly who are known for their outspokenness against the constitutional violations and misrule of the APC administration. The PDP noted that “the federal government has given no reasons for the arrest and detention of Senator Abaribe, who has been kept incommunicado without access to his lawyers and associates.

The party also noted the apprehension of Nigerians following numerous alleged plots by the Federal Government to frame up other lawmakers, including Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, as well as Senators Dino Melaye and Shehu Sani.

In the same vein, apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has demanded the immediate release of the senator. In a statement issued yesterday, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said it is only the security agencies that should provide Nnamdi Kanu and not Abaribe.

The statement said: “The circumstances prevailing at the time of the disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu are beyond the contemplation of the law that a surety can guarantee the production of an accused person.

“The army in the name of “Operation Python Dance” invaded Nnamdi’s home and destabilized normalcy there.

“It is only the security agencies that can disclose Nnamdi’s whereabouts. Senator Abaribe has no capacity, nor has any surety in the circumstances to know the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu. What happened in Umahia was an invasion, a war of a kind.

“Nnamdi may have been killed or captured in the imbroglio or even escaped into hiding. The onus lies on the security forces to disclose his where about. The judiciary is beginning to tow the line of the executive by throwing the law overboard in matters that affect the South East. We are all equal before the law. Senator Abaribe must be released forthwith.” "

According to the Nation, Abaribe’s lawyer, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN) disclosed on Saturday also the DSS claimed that Abaribe was into gun running. Ume said the accusations were contained in a search warrant dated 2nd June 2018 which directed DSS operatives who searched Abaribe’s house to “focus and search for arms and ammunition and any other incriminating document, while the alleged crime was aiding and supporting a prescribed body i.e. IPOB.” He said that the disparity and excruciating search of all corners and every item in the house lasted for about 5pm till 11:15 pm Friday. He noted that “Of all the 27 items seized and taken away, none could be all they wanted to see in terms of arms and ammunition or stored bags of Ghana Must Go for sponsoring the said IPOB.

“But unfortunately two of the 27 items include The two handsets of two USA citizens found in the home. One of the laptops taken included that of an educationist containing examination questions slated to be set for students on the 25th of June 2018. All pleas for this questions to be copied was refused.”

Ume said that they are worried at the turn of events especially when leader of IPOB Nnamdi Kanu was to appear in court on October 2017 in September, his house was brutally shut down. “Senator Abaribe, the surety to Nnamadi Kanu is to appear in court on 26th June 2018, but on 22nd June 2018 Senator Abaribe was arrested and detained incommunicado."

Ume who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on the arrest and detention said, “Yesterday in the forenoon hours our Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, a high ranking senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was arrested by officers of state security services.

“The articulate senator who has contributed a lot to our nation building effort is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His arrest was shocking as it was curious. As his counsel, I have long ago complied with DSS stipulation for meeting with its detainee. I have also requested for a meeting with the D.G of the services to know the reason for his arrest. All fell into refusal ears at about 4:45pm I was alerted that officers of the services were heading to the senator’s residence."

Partisan Politics with heavy undertones, probably learnt from OBJ, and practiced well by PMB. To cap the review;

“On 16th June 2017 via a letter to NSA Senator Ike Ekeweremadu was levied a corrupt officer

“On 12th April 2018 Senator Shehu Sani was accused of aiding armed robbers

“On 24th March 2018 Senator Dino Melaye was accused of aiding bandits

“On 4th June 2018 Senator Bukola Saraki was accused of aiding armed robbers who massacred his own people.

“On 27th February 2017 /2nd March 2017 His Excellency former Governor of Benue State Gabrial Suswam was clamped down.

“On 22nd June 2018 it is Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe was arrested for purportedly aiding a proscribed organization.

On June 7 2018, he has asked Mr. Buhari to declare December 31 as Democracy Destruction Day to mark the coup he led to end Nigeria’s Second Republic in 1983. Mr Abaribe made this contribution on the floor of the Senate while contributing to debate on the president’s declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

On March 15 2018, the lawmaker criticised the President for constantly denying responsibility when things go wrong. The senator said Mr. Buhari is always in the habit of saying, “I don’t know.” It remains unclear why the lawmaker was arrested. But Sen. Abaribe has been especially critical of President Muhammadu Buhari in recent times.

O' di égwu, he should be free. Free Sen Abaribe ooo

I repeat, O' di égwu, he should be free. Free Sen Abaribe ooo