Buhari, not a converted democrat, says Fasehun

By Toluwani Eniola

The Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, says the recent crackdown on judges has vindicated his stance that President Muhammadu Buhari is not a converted democrat as claimed during the 2015 electioneering.

Fasehun said he was worried that security operatives were not following due process in their fight against corruption.

The elder statesman said this on Wednesday while addressing journalists on the recent crackdown on judges’ residences and alleged abuse of court rulings by the Federal Government.

Fasehun said although he subscribed to the current war against corruption, the invasion of the homes of the judges was a gross and “blatant violation of the rule of law, the Nigerian constitution and common sense.”

He said it was unfortunate that President Buhari represented “the worst threat to our nation’s democracy.”

The OPC leader, therefore, asked the President to immediately caution the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Lawal Daura.

He said, “These current events have vindicated my stance when I expressed scepticism on the Buhari presidential candidacy in 2015. When, in the build-up to the elections, his spin-doctors told the world that General Buhari was a born-again democrat, we warned Nigerians that this leopard cannot change his spots. Buhari has the trappings of an unrepentant dictator.”

Copyright PUNCH. 

Dr. Frederick Faseun, flanked by Wasiu Afolabi (left) and Dasola Aliu at the
press conference.

Below is how The Guardian reported the story which it titled ‘Frederick Fasehun condemns action’:

“Founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and National Chairman of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has condemned the arrest of judges by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing it as unconstitutional.

“Addressing journalists yesterday in Lagos, Fasehun said the Nigerian constitution does not make the Executive the watchdog of the Judiciary.

He said: “I condemn this Gestapo-style invasion of the private homes of Nigerian judges. The invasion is invidious, infantile, illegal and unconstitutional; it smirks of a scripted and premeditated operation aimed specifically at intimidating the Judiciary and giving judicial officers a bad name to devalue their reputation.
“Moreover, the invasion represents an unjust clampdown on the Judiciary, a clear violation of the Rule of Law, Due Process and commonsense, and it should never happen again.

“Those serving in the Judiciary are apolitical and the Judiciary is the last hope of the commonman. This is why it is disheartening, heartrending and troubling that the Judiciary has been placed under this brazen assault and it forebodes danger for the nation’s democracy. Today, it is rather unfortunate that President Muhammadu Buhari represents the worst threat on our nation’s democracy.”

“In as much as we recognise the harm that corruption has inflicted on our development, and we subscribe to the current war against corruption, relevant institutions and agencies must follow due process and the rule of law.”