PDP Decries DSS’ Siege On Dasuki’s Residence, Warns Against Dictatorship

• Sues For Unity, Peace, Love Among Nigerians
• Security Agents Withdraw From House

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ‎yesterday condemned what it called the unlawful placement of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) on house arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS).

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, alleged that some operatives of the DSS had refused to allow visitors gain access to Dasuki’s House in Asokoro, Abuja, where he was allegedly being detained.

Meanwhile, the party has urged the Muslim community and all Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr to mark the beginning of a new era of love, righteousness and brotherliness among themselves as commanded by Allah.

The party said, “Nigerians should not loose sight of the deeper significance of the Eid-el-Fitr but strive to bring to bear the blessings, lessons and spiritual re-invigoration from the month-long fasting in all their dealings.”

Metuh said: “I came into Abuja today because I read about the invasion of the house of the former NSA and his detention and house arrest. So, I drove to his house as a personal friend to see him and to find out what is happening. Then about seven or eight security operatives came out and they said that I couldn’t see him because the house is under security watch.

And I asked them, security watch in terms of treason or terrorism? And they said they are not in a position to say. Why I asked this question is that if he is under security watch on account of corruption or any other reason, then it is totally against the constitution of this country because this is a democracy and democratic tenets and principles must apply. The fact is that we deserve basic freedom, liberty and movements associated with democracy.

Metuh warned that there was imminent descent into dictatorship in the country, saying: “The truth is that Nigerians are getting scared. They voted for the President and he was duly elected. And now he is the father of the nation; he is the father of everyone; he is not serving any other interest. But there are certain activities by some of his aides and people around him. It is like they are taking us back to the military era where we were coming from. The last time this happened was under the military. There has never been any situation where people will be held against their will. It is completely against his fundamental human rights.”

The PDP, in a goodwill message released yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said Nigerians are good people and should use the spiritual exercise to draw nearer to God, who in His infinite wisdom chose to bring them together as one nation under Him.

Meanwhile, the Service yesterday vacated Dasuki’s residence, but impounded his international passport and travel documents.