By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The police must do everything within its power to shield the national chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Mr Dan Nwanyanwu, from any attempt on his life, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has said.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr James Ezema, CNPP also called for a thorough investigation into the allegations raised by the politician on the “brazen threat” to his life.
On Monday, Mr Nwanyanwu informed newsmen at a press conference that one Mr Moses Emmanuel, an alleged agent of the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, threatened to kill him.
“The CNPP, therefore, condemned in the strongest possible terms this cowardly act and warns those behind it to desist from further harassment and intimidation of political opponents.
“We demand that the security agencies investigate this incident thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The use of extra-judicial means to gag opposition voices is a dangerous trend that must be stopped immediately. Nigeria is a democratic nation, and the freedom of expression and association are fundamental rights enshrined in our constitution. Political differences should be resolved through peaceful means, not through violence and intimidation.
“We stand in solidarity with Dan Nwanyanwu and the Zenith Labour Party, and we urge all political parties and stakeholders to join us in condemning this heinous act. We will not stand idly by while our democracy is undermined by those who seek to suppress dissenting voices,” the CNPP vowed.
The group, which is an umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of all political leaders and citizens.
“We also demand that the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) order a thorough investigation into this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We, therefore, call on all relevant security agencies to provide adequate security for the ZLP National Chairman to ensure he is not hurt,” it further stated.
Recall that recently, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) alleged that there was a plot to fabricate charges of murder, rape, kidnap, gun-running, and other imagined crimes against the lawmaker representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, over his stance on Rivers State political crisis, defence of democracy and principles of decent intra-party procedures.