The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has lashed out at the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, over the latest attempt to arrest Senator Dino Melaye.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the invasion of the Abuja home of the Senator, as another instance of Police being used by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration, to suppress the rights of the citizenry, and silence people with opposing views to the current administration.
Saraki in a statement on Saturday, said that the timing of the invasion and the desperate attempt to arrest the Senator, is suspicious, as the Lawmaker had raised an alarm a few days earlier, that there was a plan by the Police to get hold of him and harm him, an allegation that was denied by the Police. He noted that the conduct of the Police at the property, in interfering with power and water supply, manhandling domestic staff, and disturbing peace in the neighborhood, is unacceptable.
The Senate President revealed that he believes the Police are resolute in keeping the Senator out of the public, ahead of the 2019 elections. In his words, “The general belief now, is that the Police action against Senator Melaye, was aimed at keeping him out of circulation, so that he would not participate in the general elections, coming in February. The manner of invasion on his house is highly suspicious. This same man has been charged with sundry and needless allegations, and he has attended the various court sessions. He is also a Candidate in the coming elections, and therefore, has no reason to run away from the country.
“He was also present in the Senate for plenary, Committee meetings, and oversight functions, till the Senate went on recess, on December 20, 2018. Though the Police in their statement, claim that there was a request to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA) inviting Senator Melaye to report to the Police, my enquiry from the CNA showed that he had no such letter. If there was an offence allegedly committed in July, and the Police waited till now, we do not see the urgency in the need to arrest him about six weeks to the elections in which he is a Candidate. He could have been invited to report to the Police on Monday. This desperation to haul him in is beyond normal. This same IGP who refused to honour the invitation of the Senate, for him to give information on the security situation in the country, and rushed to the court to seek protection of his rights, is now violating the rights of other people. In the same manner, a Senate resolution to the effect that his security personnel that were withdrawn should be reinstated, has not been obeyed.”
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