I'm Not Under House Arrest - Ojukwu
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Emmanuel Ugwu in Enugu
Presidential candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2003 polls, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has dismissed speculations that he has been placed under house arrest following his weeklong face-off with the State Security Services (SSS).
Ojukwu, who fielded questions from newsmen yesterday at his Hill View residence in Enugu, stated that his freedom of movement has not been abridged in any form adding that it was mere "wishful thinking" for anybody to speculate that he was under house arrest.
"It's all wishful thinking. I have not been restricted in any way or form. I live here; I go out when I want. (But) by nature I am not an outgoing person. So nobody can really say I haven't been going out or anything like that," Ojukwu stated.
He challenged those behind the whole "drama" of his alleged house arrest to come out in the open and explain how his freedom has been abridged and who did it.
Ojukwu said that people should not misconstrue his face-off with the SSS as a fight against the Federal Government, but a fight for democracy and the rule of law to prevail in the land.
He said that he was yet to receive any formal invitation from the SSS since the face-off ensued, noting that the only thing in paper form he has received was the "famous one-way air ticket" sent to him last week.
His words: "I am a law-abiding citizen. I recognize and will respect the government, provided they act properly. If they insist it is an invitation, then they should grant me the right of refusal. On the other hand, if the answer is that it is an order for me to go to their office, then let me see a document that says that I should go there."
The ex-Biafran leader pointed out that the absence of a formal invitation by the SSS could mean that somebody was out to play a fast one on him.
"As far as I am concerned, it could be a big 419. I don't know the person who came to me; he said that he is from the SSS and I don't know if he is or not. So I must confess I don't believe anybody unless it is somebody I know and recognize," he said.
On if he was worried at the turn of events in the country, Ojukwu said that his concern was for Nigeria and the way the rulers were running the country.
Said he: "Naturally for Nigeria, I am worried. I had hoped that after the change to civilian government that we would be running our society in a democratic manner. But I regret that what I see is not democracy.
This is a country where executive lawlessness seems to be the order of life."
Ojukwu expressed gratitude that Nigerians were reacting positively to the face-off between him and SSS since they know the implication of what is happening, adding that it borders on freedom under a democratic rule.
"Nigerians on the other hand actually are beginning to react much better than I thought. The newspapers are making comments; people are rising up and making their opinions felt," he said.
Ojukwu restated his observation that events in the country point to the fact that President Olusegun Obasanjo was yet to shed his military toga and rule as a democratically elected leader.
Said he: "My good friend, Chief Obasanjo, all his reflexes are military and when I see that I smile and laugh. He must take that uniform off and try to be the first citizen."
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa has described as not undignified the approach adopted by the SSS in its invitation to Ojukwu.
"We are not saying that the SSS has no powers to question anybody when the need arises, No, that is not what we are saying, our own position is that due processes must be taken at all times."
The CNPP Chairman who is also the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said, "Chief Ojukwu is a statesman, a presidential candidate of a political party, you just don't wake up and summon him like a common thief. No, we must have respects for our elders. Our position is that he ought to have been attended to by the SSS Director in Enugu, where the matter should be sorted out."
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