PRESS RELEASE

 20/06/2014

Social Movement for Change (SMC) condemned in strongest terms the ambushing and unlawful detention of Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State by men of the Nigerian Army at Odudu in Ondo state on Thursday 19 June, 2014.

The assault on Governor Ameachi by Soldiers of the Nigerian Army on his way to Ado-Ekiti from Ondo State after a plane conveying him was grounded at the Akure Airport, by a military Captain and his team who said to be citing on orders from above was by far not a welcome development and never an achievement to our existence as a democratic Nation.

It is unhealthy for Nigeria and a new dimension in the desperation of some mischievous elements to destroy our democracy, it is a barbaric commodore style of leadership aimed at incapacitating the opposition in a "do or die" affair which will never birth anything worth saying for our nation.

This is the biggest threat to our nation's democracy and should be rejected by all Nigerians irrespective of their political views as long as they are lovers of Nigeria and Nigeria's progress.

Social Movement for Change (SMC) therefore wish to join all well-meaning people across the world to condemn in very strongest terms, this lawlessness and infringement on the freedom of movement and association of Nigerian citizens. SMC also wish to categorically state that, the people of Rivers and Nigerians should hold the Federal Government and its agents responsible should anything happens to the life or properties of Governor Rotimi Ameachi.

We also wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians and the international community to the growing impunity and recklessness of the Federal Government, these ugly practice stand as a major threat to our national unity and we all have a responsibility to defend our country. Therefore, SMC charged all Nigerians not to allow the inordinate ambition of a few people to plunge the entire country into a disastrous crisis.

Finally, Social Movement for Change wish to re-affirm it commitments to the fight for a greater Nigeria where impunity and political intolerance will have no room in our society, we also called on Nigerians to live in peace, let's uphold that culture of being our brother's keepers and love one another.
God bless Nigeria.
God bless SMC.

Signed.

Usama A. Dandare
National Coordinator,
Social Movement for Change (SMC).
www.smchange.blogspot.com
socialmovementforchange@gmail.com