Saraki and Edwin Clark
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has lambasted the Nigeria police for the unwarranted search of the Abuja home of nonagenarian, Chief Edwin Clark, by the police.
The lawmaker also called for an open, comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Saraki while reacting to the incident described it as “unwarranted harassment of the statesman”
who is known for being very vocal in expressing his views on national
issues and stated that the incident must not be allowed to be covered up
without the public knowing all the details, particularly concerning who
gave the order, who signed the police search warrant, which officers
executed it and what objective was it meant to serve.
“Chief Edwin Clark, a Second Republic Senator, former minister
under the General Gowon administration is not just anybody. Yes, he is
not above the law. If there is a genuine reason for his home to be
searched by law enforcement agencies, nobody will object to it. However,
as it now appears, for the Police to conduct a raid on the home of a
man of that age on the pretence that they were looking for arms and
eventually, the claim turned out to be a hoax, then something must be
amiss.
“This type of action by the Police coming at this time when the
nation is preparing for election is not reflecting well on the country.
Such actions constitute a threat to democracy. They represent gross
abuse of state institutions. Now that the Inspector General of Police
has denied that the raid was never authorized, the next move should be a
thorough, transparent investigation into the Senator Edwin Clark
incident to prevent future occurrence.
“This kind of ugly development must stop. This country
experienced peaceful change in 2015 because the government in power
allowed democracy to work. If the government had allowed the flagrant
abuse and misuse of state institutions to be the norm, we would not have
had the change that occurred”, he stated.
Saraki reminded the government of its recent commitment to world
leaders on the need to create a peaceful and conducive atmosphere
necessary for a credible, free and fair elections where citizens can
freely exercise their franchise, devoid of intimidation, suppression and
abuse of ther fundamental human rights. He noted that incidents like
the one in the home of Chief Clark is in conflict with the promise the
government made to these world leaders.
“Democracy is not only about elections. Circumstances that will
create tension in any part of the country or make people feel that
their fundamental human rights are being trampled upon should be
avoided. If a man of the caliber and status of Senator Edwin Clark could
suffer such unwarranted raid on his home, then what happens to ordinary
Nigerians as we move towards the 2019 polls and beyond?”, he asked.