The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has expressed deep worry over the handling of the case of former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), by the Department of State Service (DSS), saying that on no account should his rights, as protected by a court in the land, be trampled upon.

“This is taking us back to the dark days of military dictatorship, and it is unfortunate. It will be suicidal to allow Nigeria to drift into a one-party state. Much as President Muhammadu Buhari in particular and the administration in general, would want to sanction anyone for any wrongdoing, it should be seen to be doing so in a civilised manner, free of any tendency towards partisanship. We view the action of the DSS with shock and surprise, considering the fact that the rule of law is a pillar of any meaningful change.”

Comrade Yerima Shettima, AYCF National President, stated this in a press briefing over the weekend at the Kaduna Club, Kaduna State. The forum said that it sad that the DSS offered explanation for its actions against Dasuki only when public outcry became louder and louder.

“This Gestapo style is unacceptable under a democratic atmosphere. Even if it is a coincidence, the continuous arrest of people from one and the same political party is a bad coincidence that creates a wrong impression. The prosecution of former governors – all from a single political party - can be unhealthy for the image of a government that claims it belongs to nobody. The ruling party should not be seen to be going after only the opposition party members. If it is an oversight on the part of government, then it is worrisome.

“Nigerians have invested all their hopes in President Buhari and his administration. For this reason, the efforts to correct anomalies in the system should not amount to actions that tend to look like a deliberate attempt to create a one-party state. So far, no one who has something to do with the ruling party has been arrested or tried; and if what is going on presently is a coincidence (and we hope so), there should be balance.”

Back to its constituency, the AYCF president averred: “We are also still waiting to see what the Nigerian youth would get from this era of change and transformation. In terms of appointments, it is hard to tell what percentage of the new cabinet are youths, but we are hopeful this lopsidedness would be balanced in the near future. We wish to call on President Buhari to take a second look at the people working for him, from political appointees to civil servants and identify the less-productive ones, who are working at cross-purpose to the values that he represents. No one should be indispensable, whether in civil service, the villa or even within the Department of State Security Services. It would be suicidal to keep people with vengeful disposition in the corridors of power. History has shown that the image problems of leaders tend to begin this way. May God guide us on the path of justice and fair play.”

•Photo shows AYCF President, Comrade Yerima Shettima.

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