PDP warns that Buhari's executive order banning 50 citizens from travelling is tantamount to fascism

NIGERIA'S main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that the recent decision by the government to ban 50 individuals from travelling abroad is a political move that can only be described as full blown fascism aimed at stifling opponents.

Yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari signed an executive order banning 50 people who are facing corruption charges from travelling abroad . Presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, said that following the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the executive order, President Buhari had mandated the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, to implement the order in full force.

However, the PDP said that that this decree is a direct clampdown on Nigeria's democratic order and an overthrow of the rights of our citizenry as guaranteed by the 1999 constitution. many PDP members are affected by the order, including ex-governors Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina).

Also affected are former ministers Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Jumoke Akinjide, Bala Mohammed, Abba Moro, Femi Fani-Kayode and Ahmadu Fintiri. They all have impending cases in court as the list was generated from proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police and 17 other agencies.

PDP publicity secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, said: “This draconian step is clearly targeted at members of the opposition parties, perceived political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari, well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the business community, religious leaders, former political leaders and traditional rulers, who are perceived to be averse to President Buhari’s re-election bid. The whole world can now see how fascism is fast taking over our democracy and judicial system and how the Buhari administration, by fiat, has directly ordered that citizens be secretly trailed, their movements and financial transactions restricted by government agencies without recourse to due process of the law.

“While the PDP notes that the Buhari presidency has gone into panic mode since the popular emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate and the spontaneous jubilation his emergence has evoked across the country, the party maintains that the resort to total clampdown on the opposition and our supporters will be totally unacceptable. This nightmare must end on May 29, 2019."

Also, the Coalition of United Political Parties (Cupp), said the president’s action was the final unveiling of forewarned tyranny. Its spokesman Ikenga Ugochinyere, added that key opposition leaders, who are part of Nigeria's international negotiation teams, are all on the list.

Mr Ugochinyere said: “Recall that the Cupp had warned Nigerians that a desperate President Buhari, realising that he has already lost the favour of Nigerians, will bare his tyrannical fangs and intimidate opposition. The action of the president is nothing but another futile attempt by the [residency to muscle the opposition and deny them the required funds for the election but this is coming too late in time as the Nigerian electorate is already fully mobilised and ready to punish bad governance with their votes.”

However, Yekini Nabena, the publicity secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said:  “We don’t know what the opposition PDP is afraid of as the president is acting within his powers. The war against corruption is real and only those who have something to hide are afraid and as a party, we support Mr President in the war against corruption.”

Apart from the politicians, others affected by the Executive Order Six (EO6) include a former chief of defence staff  Air Marshal Alex Badeh, ex- chief of naval staff Vice Admiral A D Jibrin, a former chief of air staff Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, former inspector-general of police, Sunday Ehindero and a former chief of air staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu. Also on the list are the chairman emeritus of AIT/ Raypower Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Waripamowei Dudafa, a former chief judge of Enugu State Justice Innocent Umezulike, a former judge of the Federal High Court Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, ex-PDP publicity secretary Olisa Metuh, Chief Jide Omokore,  Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Ricky Tarfa and Dele Belgore.