In reaction to their spokesman’s humiliating
arraignment earlier today, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lashed
out at President Buhari-led and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP condemned the alleged “debasing” manner in which Chief Metuh was brought to court, describing it as unjust.
In a statement signed by Prof Adewale Oladipo, the party’s national secretary, the PDP said it condemNs in totality the brazen display of authoritarianism demonstrated by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government in handcuffing its national publicity
secretary even when the court is yet to hear his case.
According to the party, the development which expectedly elicited widespread public outcry clearly betrays an extra-judicial, top political witch-hunt policy of the APC, carefully designed to humiliate, embarrass and portray PDP leaders as common criminals and set the stage to cow and decimate opposition and perceived foes of the government.
“The question remains, if not to mortify, dehumanize and break our National Publicity Secretary, who has been very vocal against the APC administration, and of course to send a signal to others critical of the government, what else would have informed the decision to produce him in court in handcuffs, even when his case does not border on security threat?
Is this an attempt to sway the court and ambush the judicial process against our National Publicity Secretary, all because of his stance against observed ineptitude and dictatorial tendencies of this administration?,” the statement read in parts.
The PDP urged all Nigerians and the international community to note the emerging barefaced abuse of state power and violation of
constitutional provisions regarding the arrest, detention and eventual arraignment of its spokesperson.
According to the communique, the party stressed that Nigerians by now, should be extremely scared that their country is fast
drifting into a police state where being in opposition or holding views divergent to that of the government makes one a criminal and an enemy of the state.
“For now, the target of the on-going lopsided war against corruption is the PDP and its leaders. All APC members, including those with known corruption issues are immune from investigation, arrest and prosecution.
However, more worrisome is the fact that institutions of government, especially security and corrective agencies have now fallen victims of dictatorial abuses. Our fear now is that in no time, ordinary citizens of Nigerians, who in the last 16 years have lived under the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty, would begin to suffer brutality and oppression.
Under PDP administration, some Nigerians, including APC leader and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu were tried but never humiliated; now we see security operatives under this regime being used to crush and humiliate the opposition.” the PDP stressed.
In conclusion, the PDP noted that while they study the bail conditions, all PDP members must remain calm, united, focused and continue to pray for the nation and her people.
The party also urged the media to remain on the side of justice, fairness and rule of law and resist the pressure of being used as a tool
to promote arbitrariness and abuse of process in the so-called fight against corruption.
Meanwhile, there are speculation that Gen Abdularahaman Dambazzau (rtd), the Comptroller General of Prison and minister of interior, ordered that Chief Metuh be brought to court in handcuffs.
Chief Olisa Metuh was led to court earlier today in handcuffs.
In a statement signed by Prof Adewale Oladipo, the party’s national secretary, the PDP said it condemNs in totality the brazen display of authoritarianism demonstrated by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government in handcuffing its national publicity
secretary even when the court is yet to hear his case.
According to the party, the development which expectedly elicited widespread public outcry clearly betrays an extra-judicial, top political witch-hunt policy of the APC, carefully designed to humiliate, embarrass and portray PDP leaders as common criminals and set the stage to cow and decimate opposition and perceived foes of the government.
“The question remains, if not to mortify, dehumanize and break our National Publicity Secretary, who has been very vocal against the APC administration, and of course to send a signal to others critical of the government, what else would have informed the decision to produce him in court in handcuffs, even when his case does not border on security threat?
Is this an attempt to sway the court and ambush the judicial process against our National Publicity Secretary, all because of his stance against observed ineptitude and dictatorial tendencies of this administration?,” the statement read in parts.
The PDP urged all Nigerians and the international community to note the emerging barefaced abuse of state power and violation of
constitutional provisions regarding the arrest, detention and eventual arraignment of its spokesperson.
According to the communique, the party stressed that Nigerians by now, should be extremely scared that their country is fast
drifting into a police state where being in opposition or holding views divergent to that of the government makes one a criminal and an enemy of the state.
“For now, the target of the on-going lopsided war against corruption is the PDP and its leaders. All APC members, including those with known corruption issues are immune from investigation, arrest and prosecution.
However, more worrisome is the fact that institutions of government, especially security and corrective agencies have now fallen victims of dictatorial abuses. Our fear now is that in no time, ordinary citizens of Nigerians, who in the last 16 years have lived under the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty, would begin to suffer brutality and oppression.
Under PDP administration, some Nigerians, including APC leader and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu were tried but never humiliated; now we see security operatives under this regime being used to crush and humiliate the opposition.” the PDP stressed.
In conclusion, the PDP noted that while they study the bail conditions, all PDP members must remain calm, united, focused and continue to pray for the nation and her people.
The party also urged the media to remain on the side of justice, fairness and rule of law and resist the pressure of being used as a tool
to promote arbitrariness and abuse of process in the so-called fight against corruption.
Meanwhile, there are speculation that Gen Abdularahaman Dambazzau (rtd), the Comptroller General of Prison and minister of interior, ordered that Chief Metuh be brought to court in handcuffs.
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