PDP condemns handcuffing of spokesman

monjola sotubo

January 20, 2016 10:39 AM

The PDP’s comments were contained in a statement released by its National Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo.

PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh arrives Abuja court in handcuffs on January 19, 2016.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the handcuffing of its spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh during a court visit on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.

The PDP’s comments were contained in a statement released by its National Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo.

It reads:

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in totality the brazen display of authoritarianism demonstrated by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Government in handcuffing its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh even when the court is yet to hear his case.”

“This development which unexpectedly 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 PDP invites 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 our spokesperson.”

“Nigerians by now, should be extremely scared that our 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.”

“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.”

Metuh has been charged with money laundering after allegedly accepting N400 million from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki who is also being tried for corruption.

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