PDP Alleges Plot by APC, Presidency to Detain Its Leaders

Eniola Olayemi

People’s Democratic Party has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Presidency were planning to arrest and detain its leaders before and during the elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said that his party would resist any unlawful arrest and detention of PDP leaders and members in any part of the country.

He also condemned the detention of the Director of the Media Committee of the Kaduna Governorship Campaign Organisation, Mr. Ben Bako.

“Our party is concerned about the unwarranted arrest of Bako, who has been detained by the Department of State Services since last weekend.

“We are aware that Bako’s arrest is a prelude to the planned clampdown on our campaign officials by the Buhari presidency and the APC, whose aim is to derail the electoral process, having realised that they have lost the polls.”

“It is instructive to state that the DSS has given no reason for Bako’s detention, but only acted on the orders of the APC as expressed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Kaduna APC, Salisu Wusono, who openly stated that Bako deserved his ordeal.

“Further reports reaching us from our Kaduna State chapter indicate that many of our leaders, including former governors of Kaduna state — Senator Ahmed Markarfi and Alhaji Mukhtar Yero — Chief Felix Hyat and former chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Yahaya Makama, have been listed for arrest and are now being trailed by agents of the APC,” he said.

He, however, demanded the immediate release of Bako, warning that the APC and the Presidency would be held responsible if any of its leaders or members, particularly in Kaduna State was harmed before the elections.