Uniform Saga: Onuesoke Faults AGF, Says APC Endangering Democracy

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunny Onuesoke  has faulted the statement of the  Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), for comparing the office of the President of Nigeria and that of Senate  to that of  the  Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali  in terms of  wearing  uniform.

In the letter, Malami was said to have  disclosed  that there was no way the Senate could force Ali to wear uniforms when President Muhammadu Buhari does not wear military uniform as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

He was said to have accused Senate President Bukola Saraki of not wearing his complete legislative regalia in line with legislative conventions.

Onuesoke who spoke to journalists at Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a climate  change workshop  said if truly the Attorney-General made the statement it means the  threat to Nigerian democracy is being enlarged daily by APC -led government.

He explained that   it is out of place and disrespect for the Attorney –General to compare the office of the President of Nigeria  or that of the President of the Senate which is the third in the hierarchy of leadership in Nigeria to Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service.

“If the President should wear uniform as commander in chief of armed forces, which uniform do you think he should wear? Is it Army, Air force, Police or Custom uniforms?  By the way, what concern President wearing uniform with Senate asking Custom Boss to wear uniform? Is the Attorney-General comparing a singular position of CCG with the position of Commander in Chief of Armed Forces?” he queried.

The PDP chieftain who described the Senate as  an institution enacted by  constitution and must be respected as such observed that Hameed Ali refusal to wear approved Customs uniform is a proof that he has no value for the Customs and has lost the right to head that institution.

“Nigeria is suddenly in reverse gear. It is awful that history is repeating itself  in Nigeria. National Assembly is being ridiculed.  Impunity of executive is being subtly promoted, whilst  judiciary trivialization applauded. Threats to democracy being  enlarge daily and  grandstanding actors fill the corridors of power. This is worrisome,” he observed.

Onuesoke who argued that a third party going to court does not constitute a stay so Ali must honour Senate schedule invitation declared, “This is clear demonstration  of impunity and lawlessness on the part of Ali. Some of these people think they are above the law. I wonder what is giving them that confident. Even Magu said the other day that nobody can stop him from function