A peace advocacy group in Kogi Central, Justice and Order, Say No to Violence in Ebira Land, has condemned in strong terms and unequivocally rejected the recent remarks attributed to former Governor Yahaya Bello, in which he allegedly called for the arrest and prosecution of opposition leaders whom he described as “political criminals”.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Alhaji Oganya Abdurazak Mamman, the group said the remarks were not only undemocratic but also constituted a dangerous threat to democratic governance, civil liberties and the rule of law.
According to Oganya, democracy thrives where there is a vibrant opposition that holds government accountable, promotes transparency and provides alternative viewpoints in both the electoral process and governance.
He said: “It is important to remind Nigerians that this is not the first time such threats have been made. Prior to the 2023 general elections, the ex-governor publicly threatened that anyone who dared to oppose his political ambition would be sent to a place where they would ‘never see the light of the sun or the moon’ — a clear reference to the grave. By the grace of God, and through the vigilance of the people and relevant institutions, those threats were never neutralised.”
He noted that as another election cycle approaches, it was deeply troubling to hear Bello allegedly urging the current governor to be “bold enough” to arrest and prosecute opposition figures under the guise of fighting “political criminals”.
Such rhetoric, he said, was reckless, inflammatory and capable of inciting political persecution and violence.
The group, therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney-General of the Federation, the judiciary and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to treat the alleged threats with the seriousness they deserved.
The group noted that the President himself was once a leading opposition figure and understood the indispensable role opposition voices played in sustaining democracy.
Bello made the remarks in Abuja during the Call to Bar ceremony of the daughter of the Kogi State Accountant-General and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Habibat Tijani Onumoko.
The group stated: “Nigeria’s democracy must never be reduced to a system where dissent is criminalised or opposition is persecuted. We will continue to defend the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to participate freely in the democratic process without fear of intimidation, harassment or political victimisation.”
