Press Release
–
The United Progressive Party watched with trepidation the military
onslaught against the good people of South East geopolitical zone and
call on the Federal Government to stop this state terrorism in the
region forthwith.
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The pictures and videos of unarmed young men in Abia State beaten and
forced by soldiers at checkpoint to jump inside deep muds that covered
their bodies up to neck level, forced to lie face up in that condition
on road side and paraded by this Army of Occupation, are despicable,
detestable, eye-sore and assault on our national psyche. The actions
of these soldiers are barbaric, obnoxious and sadism of the worst
order.
UPP is appalled that the Nigerian Army could throw decency,
professionalism and patriotism to the mud in carrying out its
controversial Operation Python Dance II in the South East geopolitical
zone.
The wanton killing of law-abiding citizens, the invasion of Nigerian
Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Umuahia, Abia State, the
siege of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu’s
home, intimidation and torture of Ndigbo in their homeland are
classical example of state terrorism. The party demands a stop of this
show of shame that has brought the country to global ridicule and
disrepute.
The party condemns in strong terms this unprovoked militarization of
South East as there is no emergency in the region to warrant such
massive military deployment.
The code name of the military siege in the South East, Operation
Python Dance II shows the intention of the Military High Command in
carrying out the exercise. Python Dance which in Igbo language means
Egwu Eke is an act of terrorism. It is obvious that a Python does not
dance like masquerade, it poisons and swallows its prey. It is the
clear intention of the army to suppress, subdue and conquer the
unarmed good people of South East at peace time by a naked display of
military power in flagrant violation of the Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which they swore to
uphold.
Peaceful agitations by interest groups and ethnic nationalities are
allowed in all democracies as clearly provided for in the Charter of
the United Nations, the African Union and the Nigerian Constitution.
It is democracy in action. To deploy the nation’s military armament to
crackdown on unarmed agitators for self-determination through a
national referendum, is justice juxtaposed and abuse of international
military-civilian rule of engagement.
The military show of force in the region when there is intractable
Boko Haram insurgency in the North East is a misplaced priority and
abuse of power.
UPP wishes to reiterate the call by our National Chairman, Chief Dr.
Chekwas Okorie on President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the soldiers
from the South East.
The party calls on the National Assembly and National Human Rights
Commission to set up a high-powered investigation on the human rights
abuses by the soldiers in the Operation Python Dance II in the South
East. The Nigerian Army should note that the whole world is watching
this state terrorism against unarmed civilians in the South East.
–
CHIEF OGBUEHI DIKE
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY
