The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has condemned in strong terms what it described as the unprovoked harassment, intimidation, confrontation and threat to the life of Zenith Party National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu at theTranscorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The attack reportedly happened on Friday, the 12th of July 2024 and IPAC says it was outrageous, despicable, inhuman, and barbaric.
According to the Council, it is inconceivable that an esteemed national chairman of a political party in Nigeria could be publicly confronted, harassed, embarrassed and threatened with death for merely expressing his views on crucial national issues involving a former Governor of Rivers State and currently Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his alleged interference and meddling in the government of the state.
A statement signed by Chinyere Ogeh Kalu, National Publicity Secretary of IPAC, said it is a national embarrassment that a prominent political leader and lawyer would be publicly humiliated and threatened to be killed at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, after being trailed for days by suspected assassins.
“Chief Nwanyanwu’s offence is speaking truth to power and resisting impunity, executive recklessness, and rascality by a cabinet minister at a time of unprecedented insecurity, economic recession and tension in the polity,” the statement added.
“It is unfortunate that Chief Wike and his supporters will dissipate energy in destabilising Rivers State, making it ungovernable with the fallacious assumption that it will pave the way for his political ambition.
“He seems not to be bothered by the sufferings of millions of Rivers State citizens he and his supporters deprived the fruits of democracy that would have fostered development in the state.
“The peace, unity, security and welfare of the people have been sacrificed at the altar of inordinate political expediency and ambition of Chief Wike. Nigeria is not a gangster society or personal fiefdom of a public office holder.
“IPAC is constrained to intervene in this dastardly and cowardly threat to the life of a patriotic Nigerian desirous of national peace, unity, security and progress, as a threat to the life of one person is a threat to all.
“It is unthinkable that such a brazen attempt to live could happen at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja with world-class security. Council commends security agents for their prompt intervention and interrogation of the suspect and urges the Police to charge him in court to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to tow this path of dishonour.
“Council further urges President Bola Tinubu to call Wike to order. There is no room for “youthful exuberance” and showmanship in governance. Leadership is a deep and heavy responsibility, particularly at this trying period in our nation-building.
“The Police should also provide adequate security to Dan Nwanyanwu and his family. It is evident that he was trailed to Transcorp Hilton Hotel by the suspect and his collaborators. Security agencies should be on alert always to forestall criminal elements from harassing, attacking, kidnapping and killing innocent people. This security breach at Transcorp Hilton should be taken seriously.
“The voice of opposition cannot be silenced for any reason. Opposition is critical to the survival of democracy. It should be encouraged not gagged. Freedom of expression is guaranteed in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, it should not be suppressed.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will resist suppression, oppression, subjugation and intimidation of fellow compatriots as a result of their political views and beliefs.
“Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, a recipient of national honour has been the voice of the voiceless and the marginalised in the society who has contributed immensely in deepening democracy and rule of law in Nigeria. We urge him not to be deterred by this Ugly incident.”