Kogi Election : Don’t Criminalise The Innocent, Concerned Nigeria Group Tells DSS
Olayinka Dada, director, Concerned Nigeria Group, has asked the Department of State Services (DSS), not to criminalise Col. A.U Suleiman Babanawa (rtd).
In a statement, the group rejected a statement from DSS in which the retired Colonel was allegedly castigated.
“Our attention has been drawn to a press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Department of State Security Services, Mr. Peter Afunaya wherein our revered leader and foremost community leader, Col. A.U Suleiman was referred to as suspected member of a criminal gang. We are not only pained by the statement but clearly reject with vehemence and clarity of facts available to us that the statement is a misrepresentation of who Col. A.U Suleiman is and represents.”
“First, Col. A.U Suleiman Babanawa is a renowned man who served the military meritoriously and retired without blemish. He served the Nigerian Military for 30 years in various capacities and retired in December 2005. He was one time adjutant to Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, former Military Head of State in Lebanon on peacekeeping efforts.
“After retirement from active Military Service, he ventured into politics and community service where he also distinguished himself without bitterness to anyone. He contested for Governorship of Kogi State in 2007 under the platform of Movement for the Restoration of Democracy and Development.
Ever since, he has been in active service of his people and nation. We aver that Col. A.U Suleiman is a responsible family man, foremost community leader and compassionate politician whose love for the people is above self pursuits.
“He was the founder of the BABANAWA FC, a football club that has been in existence for more than 3 decades. His love for sports and youth developments made many youths his natural admirers. Aside sports, he is involved in many charitable endeavours including assisting widows in small scale businesses, encouraging youths in pursuing careers in education and military where he served. How come such a giant is now described in unprintable terms? Just because of politics? This is too low of the evil planners.
“Since the schedule of the gubernatorial election in Kogi State was released by the INEC, the grand plot by so called lions in Kogi State has been to keep every dissenting voice out of circulation against their selfish pursuit of pseudo perpetuation of power. It is a known fact that they have resorted to every means but fair in actualising this plan.
“Col. A.U Suleiman is known for his independent, dogged and progressive mind. We have unfailing trust that he has never all his life been involved in any criminal activity. We therefore reject the suggestion as issued by the DSS that our leader is a suspected criminal. We take serious exception to this DSS assertion. He has never been and cannot now in his continuous avowed service to humanity be referred to as a suspect in any endeavor.
We are not in doubt that Col. A.U Suleiman is being framed up by the enemies of the people in Kogi state since he is a grassroot leader whose influence cannot be waved aside.
“We implore the DSS to investigate the authenticity and circumstances of their claims and refuse joining the service with this political frameup. Kogi state belongs to all and no one should be sacrificed for another’s ambition.
Need we emphasis that it is a known fact that Col. A.U Suleiman is pursuing a selfless different political interest within the All Progressives Congress that will benefit his people against the candidate being promoted by the powers that be at Lord Lugard House. To now resort to tarnishing his hard earned reputation is nothing but a desperation taken too far which cannot see the light of the planners evil wishes.”
