Two president hopefuls on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and former Vice Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, yesterday, condemned the Federal Capital Territory Administrator’s  refusal to allow Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, use Eagle Square to declare his presidential ambition.

Kwankwaso

According to the duo, the move has sent out a wrong message about the country’s democracy.

Eagle Square belongs to all of us—Saraki

Saraki, who reacted through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a statement, yesterday, said the development connoted intolerance in the country’s politics.

Saraki

He said:  “The refusal to allow Senator Kwankwaso to utilise the Eagle Square for his presidential declaration, despite an earlier approval, sends a wrong message about our democracy, particularly the tolerance level in our politics.

“That square belongs to all Nigerians because it was built with public funds. We hope this is not what we will be seeing as we approach the 2019 general election.”

Buhari used Eagle Square to declare for president in 2014 — Atiku

Atiku

In his reaction, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, described the development as unfortunate, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari was availed of the opportunity to use the facility when he declared his intentions for the 2015 elections without hindrance.

In a tweet yesterday, Atiku condemned the “last-minute cancellation” of the approval granted to Kwankwaso.

Meanwhile, the police have denied sealing off Eagle Square, as alleged by the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP.