Fresh arrest of El-Rufai’s political associate, Aisha Galadima condemnable, primitive

The news of arrest of a female chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, a political activist and an associate of the former governor of Kaduna State, Aisha Galadima, is not only condemnable, but primitive and a draw-back of the democratic system as well as a harangued freedom of information in Nigeria.

Her crime was her criticism of Governor Uba Sani on her Facebook page barely two months ago which she was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, and was bailed. The fresh arrest of Aisha Galadima from her residence in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna State showed intolerance to criticism which is not healthy for the growth of democracy.

We demand the immediate release of the female politician without further harassment on the basis of criticism of the governor of Kaduna State. Nigerian is not an authoritarian State, and hence, no elected chief executive should attempt to stampede citizens into silence using the State machineries. Such development, without doubt, will portray Nigeria in bad light before the world. After nearly three decades that Nigeria bounced back to democracy through spirited effort of some good Nigerians even at the risk of their lives, the citizens should not be taken aback by any kleptomaniac in office. Aisha Galadima should be released without delay.

The embattled Aisha has been a strong voice in the ruling APC and had worked assiduously for the success of the party in Kaduna State. She commands large followership and loyalists across the entire Local Government Councils in the State and her disposition to the crisis between Uba Sani and his former political godfather, Malam Nasir El-Rufai should not be misconstrued to causing crisis, or be seen to have been involved in cyber stalking and bullying. Cyber space, over time, has become a platform to the concerns to ventilate and it should be seen to be so by the “so-called powerful people in government.”

Females in the Northern part of the country are highly disadvantaged in politics and the continuous harassment of Aisha Galadima may be one of the reasons, some good women may not make foray into politics, a development that may not be healthy for the nation in this 21st century politics.

We urge political leaders in offices to be tolerant, listen to criticism and improve on area of concerns rather than resorting arrest and use of brutal force. A stitch in time, they say, saves nigh.