ABUJA – Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream has described the siege at the National Assembly and the assault on House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and his colleagues as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and national unity.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after security men fired teargas at the Speaker and almost prevented him and other law makers from gaining access into the assembly, Peterside called on Nigerians to stand in defence of their freedom or risk the consequences of authoritarianism. He warned that Nigeria’s gradual but steady descent into fascism is an ill-wind that will eventually blow no good even to the perpetrators.
The law maker who represents Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in Rivers State therefore described current developments in the country as a bad omen and a situation that calls for deep reflection.
According to him “every day we consciously play into the hands of doomsday prophets by our words and actions, this is worrisome, to say the least. What is however more disturbing is the continuous deployment of police and armed forces to harass and intimidate voices of dissent across the country. What we in Rivers State have suffered in the last three years is just beginning to appear at the national level and I hope Nigerians are watching. What is happening is purely subversion of the constitution and it must be condemned. But Nigeria will survive and outlive all the frightening predictions.”
Peterside wondered why things are taking a turn for the worse even as election year approaches. “These are indeed dreadful times for Nigeria but the leaders of this great nation must inspire hope. There is despondency everywhere and Nigerians cannot afford to live under another wave of uncertainties. How do you even explain this criminal assault on our nation’s number four citizen?’, he asked.
He, therefore, called on men of goodwill to stand up and condemn these untoward actions traceable to the executive arm of government before it is too late. ‘The democracy and freedom we enjoy today was fought for by patriotic Nigerians who challenged the military. We must therefore defend our liberties even with the last drop of our blood if that is what it will take”, he said.
