Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnanya Abaribe, speaks out Just as some Nigerians expressed worries over lingering romour on his alleged arrest.
Barely a week majority of Nigerians took to their social media to protest over circulated information that the Peoples Democratic Party’s stalwart was arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS).
Abaribe, who represents Abia South senatorial district at the National Assembly, reacted to what appeared to be ‘false information and failed attempted arrest’ said those demanding his arrest should go for parading armed Fulani Herdsmen first.
Speaking in a retrieved document by SCANNEWS24, the long-serving Senator at the Red Chamber, expressed anger, noted that armed bandits move freely around Nigerian states killing innocent citizens and no one has proscribed them but was quick to tag Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) terrorist group.
The outspoken Senator has been consistent in condemning most irregularities at the part of government style of governance and unbearable policy.
He was very much vocal and active to oppose the Federal government’s RUGA Cattle Settlement plans, prescription of IPOB, Social media censorship policy, Hate Speech Policy Proposal, etc and many more others seen to be against the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
Plans to detain Abaribe, SCANNEWS24 traced, was triggered after his statement to ‘vote for Biafra Referendum’ trended and attracted huge support, commendation around the world majorly, members of IPOB.
In what appears to be against the wish of the presidency, the media aides of President Mohammadu Buhari had indicated need to arrest Abaribe over his statement.
Reacting on the failed move to apprehend him, Abaribe blasted President Buhari on his failure to conduct his aides for exercising presidential authority on him, said it’s a surprise that the president says nothing and does nothing in whatever happens in this country.
In his words: “It’s quite unfortunate that we found ourselves in a government that has no respect for constituted authorities. It’s unfortunate that the Muhammadu Buhari media aides have now taken power from the President to call for the immediate arrest of a Distinguish Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A common media aide and the President will not say anything, after all, I’m not surprised because whatsoever happens in this country, he is not aware and how will he be aware that his media aides have taken power from him. I weep for this country”
Abaribe said he has no regret supporting IPOB’s clamour for Biafra if the President and its aides see nothing wrong with Fulani Herdsmen carrying guns around the country, killing people at will and raping women, noting that as a Senator he will never stop representing his people.
“Those his media aides are not seeing the evil that is being perpetrated by the Hausa Fulani herdsmen all over Nigerian, killing and raping our women and as a senator representing my people, you want me to keep quiet. Of course, that will not happen
“As for the IPOB issue that made those unelected media aides call for my arrest, I have no regret over the interview. Tell me, one single person, an IPOB member has killed in this country and I will show you the graves of thousands of lives that have been sent to an early grave by Hausa Fulani herdsmen, yet the President doesn’t want to say anything”
He, however, advised the president to first go after the killers, Fulani Herdsmen, Boko Haram militants invading people’s home if they really want his arrest, adding that as an elected and elder spokesman, his children can never be oppressed before his eyes.
He further noted that he has been standing behind IPOB right from the day of Prescription at the red Chamber and will not stop, explained that IPOB remains peaceful and can not hurt a fly.
“As for the IPOB issue that made those unelected media aides call for my arrest, I have no regret over the interview. Tell me, one single person, an IPOB member has killed in this country and I will show you the graves of thousands of lives that have been sent to an early grave by Hausa Fulani herdsmen, yet the President doesn’t want to say anything.
“I am an Elder and an Igbo man and I cherish my foundation and will not do anything to hurt my people. Igbos are the most successful tribe in Nigeria because of our hardworking. If other Elders in Igbo land can be bought over as a result of their political ambitions to kill their own children and tagged them, terrorists, because they want freedom, I Senator Abaribe will not be part of it.
The day they proscribed IPOB a terrorist group when we get to the Senate I was the one who raised a motion against it and stood firmly against it at the Senate Chamber. You don’t expect me to be there while you proscribed my own children who can’t hurt a fly a terrorist while living yours who kill people every day at will to walk around freely.
“If you want to arrest me for telling you the truth, then, first of all, go after all the Hausa Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria, arrest them all, go after Boko Haram, arrest them because all these evil terrorist groups are all from the North. When this is done, I will freely hand over myself to your police”