Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately direct General Abdulrahman Dambazau, (retd.) a former Chief of Army Staff to name those who put him under pressure to overthrow a properly constituted democratically elected and inaugurated government of the former president Goodluck Jonathan.
The group suggested that the President should request a memo from the former COAS disclosing the identities of the characters that wanted the Jonathan government overthrown by the military.
HURIWA pointed out that the allegation that certain civilians plotted or actively made intensive pressure on the then Army Chief to overthrow a government is tantamount to high treason, citing portions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The group also wants President Buhari to give a national award to General Sani Kukasheka Usman who made the disclosure.
The rights advocacy group said that Nigerians have the right to know those undemocratic elements who attempted to jeopardize democracy, adding that such individuals were also capable of attempting to overthrow the current administration.
“Even if you don’t want to punish them, at least Nigerians deserve to know those who do not want democracy to thrive so that we can keep them at bay and the Federal Attorney General should also look into the matter and figure out the right charges they deserve should the President decide to enforce the law on treason,” HURIWA said in a statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, its National Coordinator.
Usman had on Tuesday revealed how Dambazau was pressured to topple Jonathan’s government following the passing of President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2010.
Usman made the disclosure in Abuja at the 2022 Blueprint Newspapers Annual Public Lectures and Impact Series/Award.
He said Dambazau not only resisted the pressure from people the former Army spokesperson described as enemies of Nigeria, but he also promised the international community, which got wind of the development, he would do no such thing.