The Peoples Democratic Party has called on the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, to revert the withdrawal of the security personnel of the Zamfara State governorship candidate, Dauda Lawal, citing provisions of the constitution.
The PDP also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ikra Bilbis, Captain Bala Mairiga and other members of the party who were arrested and detained on the alleged directives of the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle.
The party gave the charge at a press conference by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday, held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
The PDP accused the All Progressives Congress, of “being disoriented by increasing popularity of the PDP and our candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections has scaled up its vicious assault and clampdown on PDP candidates and other patriotic Nigerians in an attempt to silence PDP leaders and halt the overwhelming daily acceptance of our party’s message of hope to Nigerians.
Ologunaba further accused Governor Bello Matawalle-led APC administration in Zamfara State has reportedly set up a killer squad in connivance with some elements in the police which has commenced a brutal crackdown, arrest and detention of notable PDP leaders in Zamfara State based on unfounded allegations as part of APC’s plot to harass our leaders and other dissenting voices in the state.
“The PDP also charges the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the withdrawn security details attached to the PDP Governorship candidate in Zamfara State and take urgent steps to ensure the provision of adequate security for PDP members in the State in line with the constitutional duty of the Police to the Nigerian people.
The party notably accused the Zamfara governor that also marked for arrest and detention are Zamfara State PDP Acting Chairman, Mukhtar Lugga, serving members of the National Assembly; Hon. Suleman Gummi, Hon. Shehu Fulbe and other leaders such as Col. Bala Mande, Salisu Maibuhu Gummi and Ahmed Garban Yandi in a heinous plot to put them out of circulation ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“Other notable PDP leaders reportedly listed for arrest include Farouk Rijiya, Abubakar Rawayya, Zangina Abdullahi, Mugira Yusuf, Usman Danmasani Nahuche, Yarbachaka Haruna, Bashir Shehu, Usman Mafara, Ahmed Mairiga, Col. Yandoto, Nagambo Anka, Comr. Sale Maradun, Abba Oando, Suleiman Bukuyum, Rabiu Ilili Bakura, Mani Kotorkoshi, Maryam Buba, Abdulmajid Anka, Zayyanu Gusau among others who are now being hounded by APC agents.
He added, “The scheme of the APC is to torture, brutalize and keep these PDP leaders in detention so as to pave way for the APC’s militia to terrorise the people and scare them away from participating in the electoral process, having realized that the APC has been rejected in Zamfara State.
“Our Party has also been made aware of plots by the Governor Matawalle-led APC administration to arrest and detain the PDP Governorship Candidate in Zamfara State, Dr Dauda Lawal.
“We alert Nigerians that the security operatives attached to Dr Dauda Lawal have been withdrawn reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.
It, therefore condemns in the strongest term, the action of the Gov. Matawalle-led APC administration which has become a clear and present danger to national security as well as a huge threat to our democratic process and corporate existence as a nation.
It stressed that the people of Zamfara State cannot be intimidated while cautioning the governor and the APC in the state not to mistake the peace-loving and law-abiding disposition of PDP members and the people of Zamfara State as a sign of weakness.
The party, “demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, Captain Bala Mai Riga and other members of the PDP who were illegally arrested and detained reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.
It also charges the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the withdrawn security details attached to the PDP Governorship Candidate in Zamfara State and take urgent steps to ensure the provision of adequate security for PDP members in the State in line with the Constitutional duty of the Police to the Nigerian people.
“Our party demands that the Inspector General commence the immediate investigation of the reported partisanship of certain top police personnel in Zamfara State which facilitated the vicious clampdown, illegal arrest and detention of PDP members in the state.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call Governor Matawalle, and his APC members to order, counselling them to accept the fact that the people of Zamfara State and Nigerians, in general, have the right to decide their political preference which they have amply expressed in their massive support for the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.
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