Group seeks Abba Kyari’s arrest over alleged usurpation of power

The Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for the arrest and prosecution of Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, for exercising presidential authority and undermining the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

The group said it was seriously dismayed by the latest indications from the Presidency pointing at the unacceptable usurpation, and misuse of presidential powers by the Chief of Staff.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Executive Director of the group, Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said: “Even more disturbing is the indication of how the nation’s security architecture has been seriously undermined by such shenanigans. As would be seen from the memo authored by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, to service chiefs detailing serious breaches of communication lines, the issuing of unlawful orders and other infractions, which have distorted the effectiveness of the security architecture of the country; there is no mistaken the fact that the institution of the Presidency, which belongs to the people of Nigeria, has been hijacked to advance self-centred and self-serving interests.”

Also calling on the National Assembly to act in the interest of the nation, Zikirullahi further said: “The National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council must live up to their oath of offices by taking drastic measure to arrest the drift in the Presidency to save our democracy and restore effective governance.

“If President Muhammadu Buhari feels that he is too weak or tired to take charge of governance, the best alternative would be to resign his office as President, rather than subject the nation to ridicule by allowing Abba Kyari-led cabal to hijack machinery of governance in the country, particularly tampering with the nation’s security.

“President Buhari is the person the Nigerian electorate entrusted with their mandate. No one voted Abba Kyari into office, and as such, it is highly insulting to the sensibilities of Nigerian people for an unelected person to be exercising the mandate of the office of the President.”