Nigeria Police Force Directive Sparks Outrage from Opposition Parties

Nigeria's opposition parties have expressed concern over a directive from the Kaduna State Police Command, which requires hotels and event centers to obtain prior clearance from security agencies before hosting political meetings or gatherings. The directive follows a recent attack on a meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by suspected thugs. The ADC, along with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), have described the directive as an attempt to intimidate and muscle opposition parties, in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Key Takeaways:

• The Kaduna State Police Command has issued a directive requiring hotels and event centers to obtain prior clearance from security agencies before hosting political meetings or gatherings.
• The directive follows a recent attack on a meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by suspected thugs.
• The ADC, PDP, LP, and CUPP have described the directive as an attempt to intimidate and muscle opposition parties, in favor of the ruling APC.
• CUPP's National Secretary, Peter Ameh, argued that the directive is a clear overreach of the police's authority, and contravenes the spirit and letter of the Nigerian Constitution.
• The ADC alleged that the threat by the police to hold hotels and event centers liable for hosting unauthorized gatherings is tantamount to intimidating citizens and private businesses, and denying opposition parties access to spaces for lawful activities.
• PDP chieftain, Diran Odeyemi, argued that the police should not be asking for permission to protect lives and property, but rather should be seeking an invitation to political gatherings to ensure their safety.
• Elder Yusuf Danbaki, a chieftain of the LP, accused the Nigeria Police Force of operating as a department of the APC, and argued that recent clampdowns on opposition activities were politcally motivated.

Statistics:

• A recent attack on the ADC meeting by suspected thugs has sparked outrage from opposition parties.
• The directive from the Kaduna State Police Command has been described as an attempt to intimidate and muscle opposition parties, in favor of the ruling APC.
• The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to assemble freely and associate with others for the protection of their interests (Section 40).
• The Kaduna State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the alleged political violence.

Sources:

• "Kaduna Police Chief divides the opposition" by Daily Sun, online, 2023
• Statement by the ADC, online, 2023
• Statement by CUPP, online, 2023
• Statement by PDP, online, 2023
• Statement by LP, online, 2023