By Daniel Karibu
An Abuja Human Rights group, Centre for the Advancement of Liberties and Good Governance (CALGG), has petitioned the US Secretary of State Blinken, IG of Police Others, against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyeson Wike, accusing him of criminal incitement, threat to democratic process, peace, and stability.
The petition, signed by the national president Dr. Daniel Karibu and national secretary Alhaji Isiaku Abdullah, states: We are writing to lodge a formal complaint with reference to the above-stated subject matter and to request an investigation and subsequent prosecution of Mr. Nyesom Wike as provided for in Nigeria’s extant laws if found culpable.
Whilst we acknowledge that our request may be a herculean task as Mr. Wike is a serving minister in the government you serve, may we also state that ‘no man is above the law’.
The decision to write this petition is borne out of patriotic zeal to ensure the survival of our democracy in a stable, peaceful Nigeria.
May we therefore draw your attention to the following newspaper reports:
(1) Cover of The Nation Newspaper of 1st September, 2024 with the caption, ‘Wike to PDP Govs: Steer clear of Rivers PDP structure or risk fire in your states.’ (photocopy attached)
(2) Front page of Thisday Newspaper of 1st September, 2024 with the caption, ‘Wike Threatens PDP Govs Supporting Fubara, Vows to Instigate Crisis in Their States’ (photocopy attached)
Please note that Mr. Wike’s threats were widely reported in print and electronic media. A clip is also available on Channels Televsion YouTube page titled ‘I Will Put Fire in Your Sates’, Wike warns Govs That Want to Destroy Rivers PDP Structure’. Mr. Wike further states that “So far as I know you are trying to put yourself in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt, and YOU WILL NEVER SLEEP IN YOUR STATE, YOU WILL NEVER DO GOVERNANCE AGAIN, YOU WILL SEE POLITICAL CRISIS.”.
Mr. Wike’s rather arrogant public threat against Chief Security Officers of some states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in particular Bauchi State can best be described as unlawful.
We have perused laws from the Criminal and Penal Codes and wish to state some provisions that appear relevant as follows:
Section 86 of the Criminal Code Act: Threat to Cause Harm or Violence
Section 61 of the Criminal Code Act: Interference with Executive or Legislative Power
Section 396 of the Penal Code: Criminal Intimidation
Section 96 of the Penal Code: Criminal Conspiracy (where two or more agree to commit an illegal act). We note in the Channels Television clip that Mr. Wike supporters enthusiastically supported his threats.
Section 114 of the Penal Code; Breach of the Peace
We state the above merely as examples of available laws that Mr. Wike may have broken, but as earlier stated, this list is not exhaustive.
Mr. Wike’s public declaration/threat to duly elected governors that “I will put fire in your states” and “you will never sleep in your state, you will never do governance again, you will see political crisis” cannot be swept under the carpet. He has not only threatened the governors; he has also threatened the lives of millions of innocent Nigerians who reside in the states.
By his threats, Mr. Wike may have unwittingly confessed that he is a sponsor of violence!
Mr. Wike has attacked the spirit of democracy and is sowing seeds of discord, instability, and systemic insecurity. We therefore urge the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Services (SSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to swiftly act.
In conclusion, may we remind you that the intra-party crisis of the Action Group had grave consequences during the First Republic? As law-abiding citizens and Democrats, we believe you will take necessary action.
Signed:
DR. DANIEL KARIBU
National President
