Grounding of Oshiomhole’s chopper barbaric, says NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday condemned aviation authorities in Benin City for grounding the helicopter conveying Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole to Awka, Anambra State.
NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar, in a statement, “No to Herd Culture”, urged all stakeholders to be cautious in order to avoid barbaric practices in the 21st century.
He said federal institutions had become willing tools in the hands of politicians.
“We would want to call for caution on the part of all stakeholders. Democracy without alternative views is not democracy.
“The earlier we accept and live with this, the better for all of us. We ought to be sufficiently matured enough not to practise herd culture in the 21st century.
“All too often in recent times, federal institutions have been willing tools in the hands of vindictive politicians or appointees out to settle scores.”
He, however, insisted that strong institutions are key to deepening democracy.
Omar recalled that the first victim was Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, whose plane still remains grounded.
He said: “Congress is dismayed by these familiar but reprehensible styles of dealing with governors with dissenting views.
“We find these tactics crude, cheap and barbaric, and a throw-back to the days of military dictatorship, which we are better off without.
“We find it amazing that experienced pilots with hundreds of flying hours will suddenly be bereft of elementary rules governing flight operations.
“And supposing they had been operating in ignorance or in breach of extant regulations, we are yet to see the sanctions meted out to those institutions or individuals that aided their conduct.
“We have noticed with concern the growing sensitivity of the Presidency to criticism and the penchant to treat every thought, opinion or action that does not conform as a treasonable offence.
“May we remind the Presidency and its army of aides, sidekicks and others in the service, that democracy thrives on time-honoured principles of freedom of speech and association and accountability; and not on impunity or brutality.”