PDP lawmakers demand immediate release of party's Vice Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives today, February 25, demanded the release of the Deputy National Chairman of the party,

Secondus was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, February 24, for allegedly receiving 25 exotic cars valued at over N300million from, Jide Omokore, the detainedpromoter of Atlantic Energy Concepts Limited, who is being held over alleged fraudulent oil deals worth billions of naira.

But the causus, led by the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, said the reason given for Secondus' arrest is "flimsy" and did not connect the accused to a crime.

READ: Secondus' Arrest: 'FG targeting PDP leaders,’ Party says

Ogor, while speaking to the group National Assembly, said it incomprehensible how a car gift by a private businessman would be enough ground to arrest a political party official.

“I am calling on the EFCC to release him and apologise to him if they have nothing else against him”, he stated.

He said the Chieftain's arrest confirms the party's stance that Buhari's anti-corruption war is targeted at the PDP.

"The recent arrest of our deputy national chairman has been of major concern to us. This points clearly to the unrelenting agenda to destroy the PDP and obliterate viable opposition by the ruling party.

“I think it is something that calls for concern and the time has come for every Nigerian to also start asking questions. What actually is going on? Is the EFCC actually playing somebody’s script? Or, it is a form of intimidation, trying to gag the opposition parties? The allegation against our deputy national chairman is that he was given vehicles by a private business man, either as political patronage or some level of contribution," he added.

Ogor also accused the APC of also receiving vehicle donations and funds for its campaigns during the 2015 general elections.

The EFCC had claimed that the luxury cars received by Secondus were distributed to top members of the PDP.