Femi Gbajabiamila of
the Action Congress of Nigeria who represents Surulere Federal Constituency of
Lagos State at the Federal House of Representatives has come under persistent sponsored
attacks by a section of the Peoples’ Democratic Party leadership following his
motion recently in the lower legislative Chamber which warned President Good
luck Jonathan of possible impeachment by September 2012 should the 2012 budget
fail to be implemented to appreciable percentage.
But the South West
Zonal leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly demanded
the resignation of Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila following alleged professional
indictment slammed on him but later lifted while he was practicing law in the
United States of America following alleged professional misconduct.
In a statement by the
National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National media Affairs
Director, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA
(HURIWA) said the timing of the publication of the so-called professional
indictment of Honourable Gbajabiamila of the opposition Action Congress of
Nigeria by some sympathizers of the Presidency amounted to ‘political blackmail’
and an attempt to intimidate members of the political opposition platforms from
exercising their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression, and speech.
Besides, HURIWA urged
the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially in the
South West to desist from overheating the polity with largely unsubstantiated
and half-baked allegations against political office holders belonging largely
to the Action Congress of Nigeria because according to the Human Rights group, these
unverified and wild allegations may not stand the test of time in the competent
courts of law.
The Rights group which
however lauded President Jonathan for his statesmanlike and nationalistic
response to the impeachment threats emanating from the Federal House of Representatives
stated that freedom of speech and expression is one of the greatest elements of
democracy without which dictatorship and authoritarian tyranny may set in. “We
commend the maturity exhibited by President Jonathan in the wake of the
impeachment threats against his Presidency and we are indeed proud that he
showed remarkable democratic credentials when he restated his government’s
determination to implement the 2012 budget to an appreciable percentage by
September”, HURIWA asserted.
Citing section 39(1) of
the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rights body
stated that Honourable Gbajabiamila as a citizen of Nigeria is entitled to
freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinion and to receive and
impart ideas and information without interference.
HURIWA also advised
those circulating damaging publication against rival political office holders
to desist from this unwholesome practice because it would create the impression
in the international community that Nigeria is a jungle where impunity and
character assassination reign supreme.
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