The Buhari Media Organization has described the social media post made by the Amnesty International Nigeria verified Twitter account calling for a revolution in Nigeria as an attack on Nigeria’s sovereignty and democracy.
It says the latest assault on the sovereignty of Nigeria, typically, comes from
“this self same group” that had continually veiled its unremitting political
attacks on Nigeria’s Federal Government on promoting human rights.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary
Cassidy Madueke the group stated that Amnesty International cannot in
good conscience continue to operate in Nigeria after its local office publicly
called for a revolution against a government that just secured an overwhelming
mandate for a second term in office, this according to the group is an
unacceptable interference in the affairs of a sovereign nation and further
proof of the subversive activities of Amnesty International operatives in the
country
“This call by Amnesty International, Nigeria, consciously seeking the overthrow
of a democratically elected government is nothing short of treason against the
Nigerian nation. This is grave and a definite breach of international conventions,
we, therefore, demand that the Amnesty International Office in Nigeria be shut
down.
The BMO added that: “An attack on the sovereignty of Nigeria, the democracy of
the country and its institutions is one that would not be taken lightly. This
is an affront and it speaks volumes of the intentions of Amnesty International,
Nigeria’s mandate in Nigeria. The Organisation has more or less turned itself
into an opposition party in this country.
“They have sponsored opposition elements to conduct protests, they have
promoted fake news and cooked-up allegations against the Nigerian government
and its institutions, now they have categorically called for a revolution
against the Nigerian state. This is what we have seen done by the opposition;
if Amnesty International wants to take on the Nigerian government in this way,
they must know that they cannot do so from the standpoint of a pretentious
human rights protection group, rather, they should close down their office in
Nigeria and register duly with INEC as a political party.”
The group noted that this was not the first time that Amnesty International was
making attempts to subvert Nigeria’s sovereignty and was being called out for
doing so.
“On17th December, 2018, one of Nigeria’s most revered institutions, and one
tasked with maintaining and enforcing the sovereignty of the Nigerian state,
the Nigerian Army, accused this same Amnesty International, Nigeria of
deviating from its core values, principles and objectives of the original
Amnesty International domiciled in the United Kingdom.”
“The Nigerian Army had stated then that they had credible information that the
Amnesty International Nigeria office had intentions of destabilising the
Nigerian nation.”
The group noted that it was not surprised at those allegations by the Nigerian
Army against Amnesty International’s Nigeria office, neither is it surprised
that the organisation is now calling for a revolution in Nigeria, as they had
been showing these patterns since the coming of the President Buhari administration.
For BMO, Amnesty International, Nigeria, is determined to function way beyond
its official standing and therefore questioned the basis of its conduct in the
Nigerian jurisdiction:
“Is a group that professed to be promoting human rights and democracy supposed
to be at the forefront of the call for a revolution and overthrow of a
democratically elected government?”
“Is Amnesty International Nigeria now a partisan group? Are they now affiliated
to the opposition party of Nigeria? Is this how they promote democracy?”
“Amnesty International Nigeria has hit bottom low with this attack on Nigeria’s
sovereignty. They must leave Nigeria now!” The BMO insisted.
