The
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee has called for the
unconditional release of the former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and
other political detainees in government custody.
The demand was
made in a statement issued by Dayo Adeyeye, the national publicity
secretary of the committee on Monday.
The party said
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.
Mr. Adeyeye
described the arrest of Mr. Lamido as “outrageous and anti-democratic” and not
based on the frivolous allegation of “inciting the public” leveled against him.
“The
true reason for his arrest, however, has to do with the forthcoming Local
Government elections in Jigawa State,” the party said.
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.
Mr. 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
Mr. 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 guard 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 no arrest was 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 said.
The party
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
0 Comments