Thallium Importation Allegation: Nigeria Must Not Tolerate Silence Where Public Safety Is In Question – ADP
The Action Democratic Party (ADP), has said the Thallium Importation Allegation against the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu by the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El’Rufai, must not be greeted with silence, where public safety is in question saying its not a political dispute.
According to the ADP spokesman, Dr Sani Dawup in Abuja on Tuesday, the party views with profound concern the serious allegation now circulating in the public domain regarding the purported importation of thallium, a highly toxic substance into Nigeria and the troubling national-security implications, suggested by this claim.
“This is not a routine political dispute, any allegation involving the possible movement of lethal toxic materials within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, rises immediately to the level of public safety, constitutional responsibility, and national conscience.
“While the ADP will not engage in reckless conclusions or trial-by-media, silence from responsible institutions is neither acceptable nor sustainable in a democracy governed by rule of law.
“Nigeria deserves clear, prompt, and verifiable answers. Accordingly, the Action Democratic Party demands: Immediate and transparent clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser, regarding whether any thallium compound was ever authorised, procured, imported, stored, or deployed by any state institution for any purpose whatsoever,” the party observed.
It further stressed that: “Full disclosure from relevant regulatory and safety agencies, charged with controlling hazardous and toxic substances within Nigeria’s borders.”
The party also noted that urgent legislative oversight inquiry by the appropriate committees of the National Assembly to establish the facts and reassure the Nigerian people are inevitable.
“Let it be stated without ambiguity: No Government, civilian or otherwise, has the moral or constitutional authority to expose citizens to unlawful harm.
“National security must never become a shield for secrecy where human life is concerned. Democracy collapses, the moment fear replaces accountability, the ADP therefore, warns against Institutional silence, Political intimidation, or any attempt to trivialize an issue touching directly on the sanctity of human life.
“Nigeria’s stability depends on public trust in State institutions, that trust can only be preserved through truth, transparency, and lawful scrutiny.
“The Nigerian people are watching, history is recording and accountability, in a democracy, is never optional
“We remain unwavering in our commitment to protection of life, supremacy of the Constitution, and defence of democratic accountability against secrecy and abuse.
“Nigeria must never become a nation where questions about life and death are answered with silence,” the party warned.
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