The President of the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) was arrested on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, by officers of the Nigeria Police Force. This detention is reportedly linked to the group’s plans to stage a protest in opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of an emergency rule in Rivers State.
As of now, the NDC President is being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt, where he is expected to remain in custody for the time being.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest have sparked widespread concerns, particularly regarding the government’s stance on freedom of expression and the rights of citizens to engage in peaceful protests.
The NDC had announced its intention to protest the emergency rule declared by President Tinubu in Rivers State, arguing that it undermines democratic processes and threatens the rights of the people in the region.
The Niger Delta, a key oil-producing region, has long experienced social, political, and economic challenges.
The NDC, as a political organization, has been vocal in its advocacy for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta, including the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.
The group’s opposition to the emergency rule was seen as an expression of these concerns.
On Tuesday, as the protest was set to begin, the NDC President was arrested by police officers in Port Harcourt. the arrest occurred amidst heightened tensions in the region.
It is unclear whether the police acted on specific orders or if the arrest was a general response to the planned protest. Regardless, it has raised questions about the state of civil liberties in Nigeria and the extent to which the government is willing to suppress dissenting voices.
In response to the arrest, various civil rights organizations and political groups have condemned the action, calling it an infringement on democratic rights. They argue that the right to protest is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and such actions should not be curtailed without a clear legal basis.
Read Also:
- Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Storm National Assembly in Protest
- Aviation Unions Lock FAAN Offices, Protest Airport Concession Plans
- Aviation unions lock FAAN offices protest airport concession plans
There are also growing fears that this move could lead to further crackdowns on opposition groups in the future, further escalating tensions between the government and civil society.
The declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has been met with mixed reactions.
While the government argues that it is necessary for maintaining law and order, particularly in response to rising insecurity, critics believe it could be an overreach of executive power and an attempt to suppress political opposition.
The situation remains tense, and many are closely watching how events will unfold in the coming days.
The NDC President’s detention, along with the planned protest, is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining national security and safeguarding the rights of citizens to express their views freely.
