Danpass urges Nigerian electorate to defend democracy

By MAJE T. SANUSI

NIGERIAN electorate have been urged to stand up and challenge the current attempt by President Obasanjo’s regime to truncate the nation's hard earned democracy.
AC stalwart in Kano state, Alhaji Abdullahi Gambo Muhammad Danpass made the passionate appeal in an interview with Daily Triumph, last Thursday.
The Kano politician denounced the current move by the PDP and President Obasanjo to unseat Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying such attempt would only throw the country into chaos.
According to the traditional titled holder, Vice President Atiku has the constitutional right to defect to any of the registered political parties in the country, so long as doing so, does not violate the constitution or offend the wishes of his electorates.
Alhaji Danpass stressed the need for an enduring and more vibrant democracy in the country, arguing that only an enlightened society with dedicated legislatures and focused government could ensure its establishment.
He appealed to the two legislative arms of the National Assembly not to allow themselves to be used by Obasanjo to impeach the vice president, as doing so, will further destroy the nation's democracy.
Alhaji Danpass explained that, Atiku, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Audu Ogbeh, Solomon Lar and the like were founding members of the PDP, but have been forced to defect to other parties because of Obasanjo's selfish and dictatorial tendencies.
Danpass, who saw nothing wrong in the Vice president's defection, argued that some governors and legislatures in the country have decamped to PDP, but were allowed to retain their positions.
He said it is the duty of the Nigerian electorate to check these excesses by exercising their voting power in the next 2007 polls to elect credible and genuine democrats who could move the country forward.
Alhaji Danpass then used the opportunity to console with victims of the recent fire disaster that destroyed properties, worth millions of Naira at Kwari markets.
He added that any attempt by the PDP and the president Obasenjo to remove Atiku from his position as vice president would be violating the constitutional and democratic tenants
Alhaji Danpass also appealed to members of the two arms of National Assembly to take urgent measure toward the preventing the ugly development.
He further said that the legislative members have every right to protect the breakdown of law and order in the country.