Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has condemned what it described as politically motivated persecution of the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, HURIWA warned the police about its persistent selective approach to law enforcement.
HURIWA lamented the alleged failure of President Muhammadu Buhari and the police to take action against the Senior Special Assistant (Public Prosecution) to the president, Obono Obla who was accused of a case of certificate forgery.
It condemned the Presidency for failing to sack the communications minister, Adebayo Shittu who has no valid NYSC discharged certificate.
The group stated that the Federal government was only out to witch-hunt Adeleke so as to stop him from reaping the fruit of his political labour after being declared the lawfully elected governor of Osun state by the Tribunal.
HURIWA added, “The Nigerian police by this shameless act of perfidy has violated section 42(1) of the constitution by carrying out a discriminatory and selective enforcement of the law.
“Section 42(1) of the constitution which is supreme and binding on all authorities and persons states thus:-
“42.(1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-
“(a) Be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or
(b) Be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religious or political opinions.
(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law by reason only that the law imposes restrictions with respect to the appointment of any person to any office under the State or as a member of the armed forces of the Federation or member of the Nigeria Police Forces or to an office in the service of a body, corporate established directly by any law in force in Nigeria.”
HURIWA said by their actions and inactions which promote impunity and selectivity, the Nigerian police force has undermined constitutional democracy and must be called to order by the National Assembly and credible civil society organisations to save democracy from sliding into totalitarianism.