PDP DEMANDS UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF LAMIDO, SUSWAM, OTHERS IN CUSTODY
The
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee has called
for unconditional release of the former Governor of Jigawa State,
Alhaji Sule Lamido and other political detainees in custody.
The PDP made the call in a statement
issued by Mr Dayo Adeyeye, the National Publicity Secretary of the
Committee on Monday in Abuja.
The party stated that its attention
has been once again drawn to “unwarranted arrest and detention” of
Lamido by men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Kano State.
Adeyeye described the arrest of
Lamido as “outrageous and anti-democratic” and not base on the
frivolous allegation of ‘inciting the public’ levied against him.
“The true reason for his arrest, however, has to do with the forthcoming Local Government elections in Jigawa State.”
The arrest of former Governor
Gabriel Suswan of Benue, according to the party, was also linked to the
forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.
“We are therefore calling on the
security agencies in the country to release unconditionally, Lamido,
Suswam, former Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, and all
other political detainees in their custody,” the party stated.
Adeyeye added that PDP was also
aware that members of the opposition would be in for a hard time in the
run-up to the 2019 general elections with more arrests and
intimidation of their prominent leaders.
He added that Lamido merely asked the people to defend their votes against rigging, saying “how is that a crime?
“If you are not planning to steal the peoples’ votes, why should you be afraid if the people are advised to defend their votes?
“Of course, no thief would want the owner to guide his house against burglary.”
The PDP recalled that prior to 2015
general election there were inciting statement credited to some
members of the then opposition party and any arrest was never made.
“It was not a sign of weakness by the PDP led Government. It was in deference to freedom of speech, democracy and peace.”
The party, however, accused members
of the ruling party of being the ones instigating the lawlessness in
Kogi, Niger, Benue and now Jigawa State.
“If this ugly trend is not stopped forthwith, it may lead to breach of peace and public disorder,” the party warned. (NAN)
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