By Our Correspondent:
A former presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), Bashir Othman Tofa, has told President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately order the release of Nastura Ashir Sharif.
Tofa asked Buhari to apologise to Sharif, before fire consumes the North and the country, even more than the 2011 election violence.
Sharif, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) was arrested by the Police for organising protests against the killing of Nigerians by bandits in Katsina and other States.
In his statement on Wednesday, Tofa said the arrest and detention was wrong, undemocratic and a very bad example of intolerance.
He contained that the “arrest and detention of Alhaji Nasturah Ashir Sheriff, the leader of the
Coalition of Northern Youth, is utterly wrong, undemocratic and a very bad example of intolerance. It is unwise and unjust.”
He Statement read: “Not even during sensible and caring Military Rules, would citizens demonstrate peacefully about a matter that worries the entire country, and anyone be arrested.
“Is this a notice that nobody is allowed to say anything or to express a view, even peacefully? Is this the Democracy Nigeria is showing to the world? We hope not.
“I appeal to the President to immediately order the release of this young man with an apology, before a single match ignites the forest and conflagrate the entire North and eventually the country.
“So many people are angry about so many things. If this collective anger istickled and pushed by a few who may have started some illegal action somewhere, it will easily spread.
“The 2011 violence, destruction and death that occurred when it was rumoured that Gen. Muhammad Buhari was denied his victory will be a child’s play this time around.
“Nigerians are very angry! Insecurity everywhere, poverty, joblessness and now Covid-19, disease, despair and desperation have eaten deep into people’s patience and good sense.
“And for the Police or the Security Services to arrest anyone for peaceful demonstration, is not only illegal but, probably, a deliberate attempt to dishonour this Government and cause more hatred against it.
“Just today, because of Nasturah’s uncalled for arrest, I have the nasty and angry, often abusive words, uttered against the President by hitherto his supporters.
“President Buhari should be very careful. He should begin to know and appreciate his true and sincere friends, and get rid of his enemies, who do tremendous harm to his image and his own future well being and safety. He must remember that in three years, someone else will be President.
“I, and millions of other Nigerians, condemn the arrest of Nasturah Sheriff and other Nigerians who were either killed or injured simply because they cone out to demonstrate and make their views known in a peaceful manner.
“We demand Nasturah’s immediate release, and all those in detention for such purposes. We are in a Democracy.”
