THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to respect the rule of law and release those in detentions that have been granted bail by the court.
The Christian body specifically called on the President to ensure the release of the detained leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim Zakzaky and former National Security Adviser, Dasuki Sambo, who have both been granted bail by court but are still in detention.
The President of CAN, Samson Ayokunle who spoke on behalf of the association while meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Friday noted that their release would ease tension in the land and give credit to “your administration together with respect from the international community.”
He also urged the president to give a Presidential order directing the Army to stop using life bullets in quelling civil disturbances and an order to the Police to provide protection to any group of people engaging in peaceful protest as the law and modern day democracy allow.
Ayokunle called on President Buhari to also effect a total overhauling of the security system with a view to replacing security chiefs who have overstayed their welcome.
Among other requests, the CAN president called for restoration of peace and sanity in troubled spots in the country, especially in the states of Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna and Zamfara.
This was as he advised the president on the enhancement of security and flushing out of attackers in many towns as is in Gashish District on the Plateau, in order to allow sacked communities in the various IDP camps return to their towns and villages.
“We urge your administration to invest more on intelligence gathering and ensure that our security agents work on them before the terrorists would strike,” he said.
Speaking on the 2019 elections, Ayokunle pleaded with the president to ensure that there should be a presidential order to the Police and other security agencies to be non-partisan, neutral and apolitical in the coming general election with a view to securing international respect and honour for the country in the comity of nations.
“The degree of desperation we saw in the politicians during the intra-party elections that took place recently do not give many people hope concerning 2019 unless serious steps are taken to let decency prevail.
“We appeal to you to make sure that the law enforcement agents and the election umpire do their work professionally without intimidation of voters, manipulation and any trace of violence throughout the period of elections. We believe that the survival and peace of Nigeria are greater than the ambition of any politician.”