Ahead of the November 1 local government elections, the Niger State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Musa Hassan has condemned what he described as harassment and bullying of the party supporters in Mokwa Local Government Area of the State.
In a statement, Hassan described the statement credited to APC Youth Leader in Mokwa Local Government Area as undemocratic and a threat to peace, unity, and democratic values we all stand for as a Nation.
According to him, the right to political association is guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and no one, no matter their political affiliation has the authority to intimidate or punish any citizen for supporting a lawful political party.
“The ADC strongly condemns this reckless and divisive comment, adding that civil servants are citizens of Nigeria, not property of any political party. Their salaries are paid from public funds, not from APC coffers. Therefore, any attempt to victimise or deny them their rightful earnings because of their political choice will be resisted through all legal and democratic means,” the statement read in part.
The Niger State ADC Boss, however, called on the State Government and the appropriate authorities to caution such individuals who are making inciting statements capable of causing political tension in Mokwa Local Government and beyond, saying, “Politics should be about service, ideas, and development, not intimidation or suppression.”
He added that the African Democratic Congress remains committed to peaceful participation in the democratic process and will continue to promote freedom of choice and fairness in governance across Niger State.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
