A Presidential hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi wednesday disclosed that the siege on the National Assembly by armed personnel of the DSS was a treasonable offense.
This is as he also disclosed that the time has come for security agencies to begin to live up to expectations in tackling the security challenges in the country.
Makarfi a former Governor of Kaduna State the situation, “is yet another unfortunate scene in the theatre of the absurd that Nigeria’s democracy is being turned into by elements that seem to have lost it.”
A statement signed Mukhtar Sirajo, the spokesman to Senator Makarfi said, “Senator Ahmed Makarfi is pained at the news of this yet another assault on the Legislature, which is an independent arm of government with constitutionally guaranteed powers and also one which has rules to guide it’s conducts and activities.
” That constitutionally guaranteed independence must therefore be respected by allowing it run on its own rules, including the ones that guide how leadership emerge and are sustained.”
Part of the statement said, “To send armed men to deny access to the legislators into the legislative house, for whatever reason, is the height of impunity and desecration; it, in fact, is treasonable for which all connected with must be made to answer to the law.
” Senator Makarfi therefore once again condemns this wanton assault on the Legislature and identifies with the leadership as well as the entire members of the National Assembly at this very trying time that requires steadfastness, courage and total commitment to democratic ideals.
“The Senator calls on all Nigerians to not only condemn this desperate and criminal move, but also rise up, through all legitimate means to protect our hard earned democracy”.
Also speaking at his 62nd birthday celebration organised by the Nigeria Youth Project (NYP) in Kaduna, Makarfi said, the work of security operatives should be seen to be commiserate with the money and equipment given to them.
The immediate past caretaker Chairman of the PDP also noted that restructuring is necessary for the whole country to feel a sense of belonging in Nigeria.
NYP who declared their support for Makarfi’s ambition also vowed to mobilise Nigerians across the country to make sure he emerge President of the country in 2019.
According to Makarfi, ” We need to put things right in Nigeria. You see the show of shame in Abuja yesterday (Tuesday) , this is not good enough. As we restructure Nigeria we must restructure public institutions to avoid the shame like the one that happened yesterday.
“What happened yesterday shows that public institutions must be loyal to the country and not individuals. Even at the state level we have the same problem.
” We must tackle the insecurity in the country, kidnapping must be stopped. Security agencies must be held to account. If they are given the right tools to work with, we expect results, they should not be allowed to go and sleep.”
On his ambition, he said,” I will try my best, but power comes from God. If we rally together and work as a team victory will be ours. We are working together, this is a happy celebration. “
On his part, Chairman Kaduna State PDP represented by the Secretary Ibrahim Wusono said, “When everyone left the PDP after loosing the 2015 presidential elections, Nigerians were looking for a leader that can be trusted and with the capacity to deliver. It was Senator Makarfi that answered the call and restructured the party that became a brand that everybody wants to identify with today.
“Haven shown that he wants to contest, it is now left for Nigerians to make sure Makarfi is elected to come and salvage the country from the present state of poverty, deprivation, lack and suffering.”
He said before 1999 serious projects especially in the rural areas were non existent in Kaduna, ” you can hardly see a project in the rural area of Kaduna state. He (Makarfi) initiated the rural electrification project which electrified many communities, especially i can talk about my local government Igabi Local Government Area.
” He increased the number of primary schools in the rural areas of Kaduna State by almost double. He is called the road master because of his rural road projects across the state.”
On his part, the Convener of the birthday celebration and National leader of NYP, Mathew Bobai told the delegation that came from across the country that Makarfi is the leader that can deliver Nigeria from its present woes.
Bobai therefore called on Nigerians especially the youths to start mobilising support across the country to make sure that Makarfi not only emerge as the flag bearer of PDP but becomes president in 2019.
