Speaking via his Twitter page on Wednesday, former minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has reacted to the raid of his residence
by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying that
members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are ready to be martyred
if that will bring about good governance.
Obanikoro said that the President Buhari-led federal government was
taking the country back to an era of despotism by its alleged hounding
of members of the opposition.
“The invasion and raid of my residence yesterday by agents of
the state is a sad throwback to a tyrannical past that is better
forgotten.
”In 16 years of democracy, we thought we had conquered
despotism for good in Nigeria but in one year, this government has
brought it back. Let me reiterate clearly: I have never received any
invitation from EFCC over any issue up till date. This invasion
therefore is premature.
”Furthermore, no court ordered a raid on my house or seizure
of my belongings. Any such move is Illegal and will be fought against
legally. Such invasion and raid of my house without prior invitation
from EFCC to me or any court order towards this signals a return to
despotism.
“The illegal invasion and raid is a mockery of justice, an
expression of disdain towards the judicial system and a terribly bad
precedent. The Illegal Invasion without EFCC invitation, notice of
investigation or a court order is also a mockery of the intelligence of
Nigerians.
”If the harassment of PDP members will help government to
deliver good governance, many of us would submit ourselves willingly to
martyrdom. If hounding PDP members will solve Nigeria’s economic woes
then we Welcome it. This rather is a woeful attempt to distract from
those woes,” he said.
He argued that the harassment of PDP leaders is not in any way
equal to the delivery of good governance, no matter who applauds such
illegality. “The aim of the government is to distract the people from
their woes. Such tactics have been tried before, in Nigeria and
elsewhere, and they failed.
“I put close to two decades into public service, in opposition
and in government, all with an unblemished record and a clear
conscience. To put one’s family and dependents through such trauma of
illegal invasion, in this holy month of Ramadan is an unfair reward for
service.
“The illegal invasion of my house @realFFK and several others
in detention: give me no confidence in government’s willingness to do
Justice. EFCC has never officially made public any investigation of my
record in government at any time before this illegal invasion of my
house.
“Suggestions of an EFCC investigation have dwelt solely in the
realm of rumours, over which I have sued several media organisations to
court.
”The rumour before was that of a $2.7billion arms issue, now
they say it is NSA imprest account – let them make the documents public.
I cannot submit myself to such glaring witch-hunt, injustice and
charade but I’ll fight it legally, with God and clear conscience on my
side.
“Since EFCC opted to make this a media trial/circus, let them
make public any document linking me or any of my children to any
financial scam. The allegations are lies not backed by fact or evidence
but a burning desire to obliterate the opposition and keep Nigerians
distracted,” he said.
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