‘Third term agenda kicked off in September’ — Falana replies Garba Shehu

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says the presidency is attacking him for challenging support groups that are behind the “third term agenda”.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had accused Falana of spreading fake news over his claim that there are plans for the president to get another term.

But in a statement on Wednesday, Falana said the third term agenda for Buhari kicked off in September.

He said despite denying the agenda, the presidency is doing nothing to curb those campaigning for another term for President Muhammadu Buhari.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) accused the presidency of intensifying its campaign to suppress the opposition and subvert of the rule of law.

“The third term agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari kicked off on September 21, 2019 under the auspices of “Movement For the Approval Of Buhari Third Term,” Falana said.

“The members of the group who launched the campaign in Abuja were not harassed by the Police or the State Security Service. The Presidency did not deem it fit to disown or dissociate itself from the campaign.

“However, following the popular rejection of the campaign, the Presidency issued a statement on October 2, 2019 to “correct internet-based gossip and un-informed media commentary regarding presidential term limits, given credence by so-called support groups, staging street demonstrations asking President Muhammadu Buhari to do a third term.

“Notwithstanding the official denial of the third term agenda, the Buhari regime has since intensified its campaign for the emasculation of the opposition and constriction of the democratic space.

“This has been manifested in the subversion of the rule of law through disobedience of court orders, sponsoring of anti media bills and reckless arrest, detention and prosecution of the perceived enemies of the federal government. Peaceful meetings and rallies against unpopular policies of the government are violently suppressed while crowds are rented to attack groups and citizens who challenge authoritarian rule in the land.

“The Presidency has decided to attack me for challenging the support groups and APC leaders that are behind the third term campaign. Even though the campaigners are well known to the security agencies they have not being attacked by the Presidency.”

Recalling how he challenged the regimes of Ibrahim Babaginda and Sani Abacha, former military heads of state, Falana said he would keep fighting for human rights.