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Omoboriowo, Adisa, NANS Commend FG

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
May 21, 2004
Posted to the web May 21, 2004

By Tunde Sanni
Ilorin, Abuja, And Lagos
Second Republic Deputy Governor of old Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo,
former Minister of Works and Housing, Major-General Abdulkarim Adisa, Catholic
Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Rev. Ayo Maria Atoyebi and National Association of
Nigerian Students (NANS) have commended the Federal Government for declaring a
state of emergency in Plateau State.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-
Metallic Products Employees (NUCLFRANMPE) has held the Federal Government
responsible for the killing of innocent people in the recent crises in Kano
State.
Omoboriowo said his support for Obasanjo's action was based on the wanton
destruction of lives and properties that has been going on in Plateau State for
many weeks now, adding: "I am convinced that Dariye has demonstrated clear
inability to maintain peace in the state".
Rev. Atoyebi said no action was too much to ensure safety of lives and
properties, adding; "even the state of emergency that has just been declared, I
think it was too late. It could have been done earlier in order to avert
bloodshed in that part of the country".
Speaking through its president, Comrade Tony Nwoye, NANS denounced the Plateau
and Kano States killings, stressing that President Obasanjo did the right thing
by declaring a state of emergency in order to restore peace in the area.
Adisa on his part noted that the suspension of Governor Dariye and the
legislative arm is in order and submitted that the declaration would serve as a
deterrence to other governors, stressing that some people within the country
are out to cause problems at all cost in order to destabilise the on-going
democratic process.
In a contrasting development, however, NUCFRLANMPE said: "We hold the Federal
Government responsible for the murder of innocent Nigerians, especially our
members who met their death on their way to, or from work", regretting that
about 35 of them were killed while about 50 were injured and receiving
treatment.
"We condemn this recurrent act of criminality and barbarism especially in Kano
State by hoodlums and their sponsors who have no respect and sanctity for human
life; Christianity and Islam preach no violence. Yet these criminals use the
cover of religion to destroy the lives of their fellow human beings and loot
their properties," he noted.
In the words of Omoboriowo, "In a time like this, Nigerians should rise above
ethnic and partisan considerations, otherwise, the country would be in trouble.
One notes that Mr. President has gone to Plateau at least four times to discuss
with stakeholders in the state on how to address the issue of insecurity in
that state. If you consider the president's track records in ensuring security
in the country, then you'ld appreciate his actions".

   

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