The factional National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has launched a scathing attack on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alleging that the minister is acting in a manner that undermines constitutional rights and the rule of law.
During an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Ememobong emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy is built on the foundation of the rule of law and that no public official possesses unlimited authority. He asserted that neither the FCT Minister nor the President has the unchecked power to override the fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.
Ememobong stressed that all Nigerians, regardless of their political leanings, have the inherent right to own property, assemble peacefully, and form associations. He pointed out that even unregistered political groups are constitutionally allowed to hold meetings without interference.
The PDP chieftain argued that any move to curtail these freedoms would be a direct violation of the Constitution and would erode the country’s democratic fabric. He described attempts to limit political gatherings as evidence of unnecessary fear, labeling Wike as someone who is ‘afraid of his own shadow.’
He stated: ‘The bedrock of our nation is the rule of law, which implies that power is constrained and never absolute. No individual, whether the FCT Minister or the President, has the unfettered authority to trample on fundamental rights. Nigerians, whether they belong to political parties or informal assemblies, are entitled to own property, gather, and associate freely. Even unregistered political associations have the constitutional right to meet peacefully. Any effort to restrict these rights is a contradiction of the Constitution and weakens the principle of the rule of law.’