Ishola Michael, Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Command has been given a 48 hours ultimatum to rise to the occasion of violence erupting from some campaign places of the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Former Chief of Air Staff, Saddique Baba Abubakar which had led to the loss of lives while several others were injured.
The ultimatum was issued by a Bauchi-based group of Lawyers known as the Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBALAC) vide a press statement it issued on Tuesday to Journalists in Bauchi.
The statement was jointly signed by the Chief Convener, Barr. Abdullatif Isa and the Secretary, Barr. Abubakar Idris.
The group stated that as the conscience of the society and representatives of defenceless citizens and fellow compatriots, it will not watch idly in the face of these serious assaults on the security and safety of the people of the state, adding that the life of every innocent citizen is priceless.
The statement contained that, “Virtually all the major governorship candidates in the state had been conducting their campaigns for the governorship election peacefully, devoid of violence nor any security breach which had given the people some hope that the election process would be smoothly undertaken in a manner that would demonstrate respect for the sanctity of human life and the dignity that comes with it.”
It further contained that, “Unfortunately, and from the news and information out there, it is only the APC and its governorship candidate that have been holding themselves out as an exception in this regard. This is because so far, they are the only people whose campaign activities have been marred by one form of violent conduct with its attendant negative consequences or the other.”
BOBALAC added, “Now as the issue has been dominating the public space across the state, it has become absolutely necessary for us as an assemblage of learned minds who have been in the vanguards of the advocacy for a responsible, orderly, civilized and lawful conduct in the state to call on the security agencies to rise to the occasion.”
According to it, “They should provide satisfactory account on the allegations linked to the APC and its candidate on the series of shootings as well as other violent conducts that characterized its campaigns which resulted in a number of fatalities as was said to be the case in Akuyam in Misau L.G.A, Duguri in Alkaleri L.G.A among other places.”
“The life of every innocent citizen is priceless and therefore the police and other security agencies must provide satisfactory explanation on the role of the APC and its candidate regarding these incidents,” it stated.
Also, it stated, “It is not acceptable nor shall we as the conscience of the society and representatives of defenceless citizens and fellow compatriots watch idly in the face of these serious assaults on the security and safety of our people.”
“We are serving a further notice that failure, refusal or neglect to positively act in this regard will leave us with the only option of instituting the appropriate legal action so that the age-long legal principle of the law existing for the safety, security and well-being of all and that it is not a respecter of any person or status is reiterated” The group stated.
The group also called on the people of the state to continue to work together with Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state so as to continue to enjoy the impressive record on security and secure atmosphere.
