Bukola Saraki, the Nigeria senate president has condemned in totality the denial of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former Kano State governor, from utilising Abuja’s Eagle Square for the declaration of his presidential bid in less than 24 hours to the date slated.
Saraki condemned the action, which was reportedly carried out by authorities, through his official Twitter handle. stating that such action sends a wrong signal about Nigeria’s democracy.
In a letter signed by Usman Raji, the facility manager of the Abuja International Conference Centre & Eagles Square, the government said the decision to deny Kwankwaso the venue was to avoid disruption of “workflow” at the Federal Secretariat, a major hub of civil servants.
The Senate president, however, stated that “The refusal to allow Senator Kwankwaso’s campaign to utilize Eagle Square for his declaration, despite an earlier approval, sends a wrong message about our democracy, particularly the tolerance level in our politics.
“Eagle Square belongs to all Nigerians,” he said.
According to Premium Times, the authorities have also denied the former governor access to the Old Parade Ground, another major public arena.
Kwankwaso, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had announced Wednesday as the day for the event.