The presidential flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the travel ban placed on 50 Nigerians through the Executive Order 6.
He said this through a statement issued by his campaign organization on Sunday. According to Atiku, the action negates the Constitution which President Buhari swore to protect when he took the oath of office in 2015 and could also throw the country into anarchy.
“We must be unequivocal in saying that we abhor any act of criminality, financially or otherwise, but the rule of law must be our guide at all times or society will descend to anarchy. Thus, we find it most undemocratic that in a nation governed by the Rule of Law, a President who swore an oath to abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, does this.
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every Nigerian citizen freedom of movement and freedom of association,” the statement reads.
It further stated that that constitutional right cannot be taken away except by a court order.
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every Nigerian citizen freedom of movement and freedom of association. This Constitutional right cannot be taken away except by a court order.
“If the Buhari administration wants to curtail the rights of Nigerians, then they must go to court and obtain a court order. Anything short of this is unconstitutional and extrajudicial”.
Thelagostimes recalls that the presidency announced the placement of 50 high-profile Nigerians on travelling restrictions. The presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the measure is part of the implementation of Executive Order Number 6 which seeks to ensure “that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter.”