Police stance on Political gathering in Kaduna, violation of freedom of association -Odeyemi, PDP chieftain

Police stance on Political gathering in Kaduna, violation of freedom of association -Odeyemi, PDP chieftain

By Ndukaku Ihe

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diran Odeyemi, has said the ban of political gathering in Kaduna State, without the knowledge of security agencies, by the state police command,  is a violation of the freedom of  association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) .

Odeyemi, who is a former national official of the PDP said what the police should be asking for is invitation to political gatherings to enable ensure the protection of lives and property.

He said: “what the police should do is to ensure that they protect lives and property. What they should ask for is an invitation to the venue. Not that people will now have to get permission from them. There is freedom of association in this country, for God’s sake. That would be a violation of the Freedom of association;  which the police don’t have right on.

“To assist ourselves, what we can do is to inform them whenever there is going to be a meeting. We can invite them to come and protect. There is difference between invitation to come and protect and asking for permission. Permission to do what?

“You don’t need any permission to associate,  according to the Constitution of the country.  That would be a wrong step. And I advise the police to always seek legal interpretation of whatever action they want to take, before making pronouncements on it.”