The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Friday told the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’Ad Abubakar, that President Muhamadu Buhari is a dictator.
Mr. Fayose, who was delivering an address to the visiting monarch in Ado Ekiti, said by choosing which court orders to obey, the President had demonstrated disrespect to the judiciary.
“I take the opportunity of your visit to bare my mind on some national concerns, particularly as it affects the unlawful incarceration of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd),” the governor said.
“President Buhari has proved me right by my claims before the election that Nigeria is in the making of a dictator if he is voted into power.
“By choosing which orders of the court to be obeyed, the President has exhibited great disdain and disrespect to the judiciary as an independent arm of government and as the last hope of a common man.”
He argued that the continuous siege on the residence of the former NSA against a valid court order is a clear manifestation of fundamental human right abuse.
Mr. Fayose regretted that prominent Nigerians who were supposed to speak up against such infractions were keepin mute.
He quoted a renowned English philosopher, Edmund Burke, who said “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
The governor said the President’s action was a sad development and a setback in the history of Nigeria.
“If the President flouts court orders with impunity, judicial independence will be fatally compromised and Nigeria’s embryonic democracy is in great danger,” Mr. Fayose continued.
“Of more importance and concern is the blackmail, intimidation and subtle harassment of lawyers and judges by the Buhari administration in an attempt to have innocent men convicted at all cost.
“The President has left nobody in doubt that the former NSA cannot get a fair hearing. While we must all stand against corruption it must be pursued within the dictates of the law.”
He, therefore, called on the international community to support the deployment of independent human rights observers to monitor former NSA’s prosecution and trial.
Mr. Fayose also advised Mr. Buhari to honour his promise to follow due process and the rule of law, saying the stakes are too high for him and Nigerians to remain silent.
The governor also used the occasion to welcome the Sultan to the state and thanked him for supporting the investiture of Jamiu Kewulere as the state’s Muslim leader.
He also urged the Islamic cleric to be fearless, just and courageous in order to defend the truth and the oppressed.
