Press Statement By Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo, Chairman: Committee For New Leadership In Nigeria, On Chief Harry Akande’s Purported Expulsion From ANPP Press Release
We have always expected that Chief Harry Akande's mission in politics was likely to attract the ire of the many forces who are opposed to change. But we did not suspect that those forces would use the machinery of his own party to attempt to stop his quest to redefine the values that govern politics in Nigeria.
We received the news of Chief Akande's purported expulsion from the ANPP, a party to which he is loyal and for which he has always strived to contribute his bit to take to new heights. As we understand it, Chief Akande arrived in the US a few days ago to receive an award presented to him by the Association of Nigerians in Connecticut, and was also planning on attending the national convention of Zumunta Organization, the umbrella association of Northerners here in the USA, as a special guest of honor, which is holding in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 12, 2002.
It was indeed a rude shock that his party's top functionaries with whom he is believed to have constantly been in touch as they all try to reengineer the party, would proceed to try him not only in absentia but without any preferment of charges against him, let alone an opportunity to enable him answer to such charges, if they ever exist.
All Nigerians should know that this so-called expulsion is without merit, baseless, ill-conceived, orchestrated and a clearly fraudulent attempt to check, at an early stage, Chief Akande's resolve to secure the party's presidential nomination in a free and fair primary.
Those who have done this act of political sabotage have not succeeded to malign him and they cannot, but they have instead exposed their own ignorance, political arrogance and their lack of commitment to due process.
Incidentally, one of the reasons Chief Akande is in partisan politics is to encourage the rule of law and observance of due process. To encourage decent people to veer into politics, to merge the gap between politicians, and professionals who have fresh ideas to salvage this nation. Chief Akande's purported expulsion shows clearly that his work in politics is cut out for him, with the lack of transparency and contempt with which the said expulsion exercise was carried out. The expulsion was more in light with military than any known democratic tradition. And we have our suspicions.
But the attempt to stop Chief Akande is a dream by those who are behind it. Understandably, Chief Akande is exploring all options that are open to him to seek redress, and once he receives this advice, he will proceed on the next line of action.
Nigerians of all religion, race, and creed should not take this slap in the face lying down. Furthermore, these indecent acts of political subterfuge should only enhance the country's resolve to pursue the ideals of decency in politics, not to relent in looking out for the larger interests of the people, who have been marginalized in our recent political history. It is a commitment, which no kangaroo 'court' can alter at will.
In our opinion, Chief Harry Akande remains a loyal member of the ANPP, a party to which he was drafted in 1999 and to which he has since become a proud member.
All the talk of anti-party activities are mere figments of the imagination of people who have a hidden agenda, but no considered interest of the general good. Otherwise, we challenge those who make the charge to substantiate it, without which their game plan of deceit, chicanery and political intolerance will become further exposed.
Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo Chairman, Committee for New Leadership in Nigeria
Circulated By Mr. Suraj Seriki, For The Houston Group in support of Chief Akande.
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