The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed concern over the alleged detention of its candidate in the August 16 bye-election, Princess Esther Dawaki, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after honouring an invitation on Monday.
The PDP also raised alarm over the continued incarceration of its Campaign Director General, Alhaji Shehu Fatangi, who, according to the party, had spent 12 days in EFCC custody despite meeting all conditions for administrative bail.
In a strongly worded statement signed by the state chairman, Sir Edward Percy Masha, in Kaduna on Tuesday, the PDP said the arrests and detentions were “part of a grand plot by the Uba Sani-led government to emasculate the opposition and rig the bye-election.”
“Our candidate, Princess Esther Dawaki, was invited by the EFCC yesterday, only to be detained without bail. This comes on top of the continued illegal detention of our Campaign DG, Alhaji Fatangi, who has now spent 12 days in the EFCC facility despite fulfilling all conditions for bail,” Masha said.
The opposition party accused the state-backed security outfit, Operation Fushin Kada, of raiding one of its campaign offices ahead of the August 16 bye-election.
Masha alleged that security operatives invaded a hotel being used by the PDP campaign team, arrested Dawaki and other party leaders, and carted away campaign funds meant for agents’ logistics and welfare.
He said, “In a desperate bid to emasculate the opposition and rig the August 16 bye-elections, the Uba Sani-led government ordered Operation Fushin Kada to raid a hotel where our campaign committee was operating from. Our candidate and other party leaders were abducted, and campaign funds for agents’ welfare were seized.
“Our Campaign DG was later handed over to the DSS and paraded as a PDP agent caught with money for vote buying before being transferred to the EFCC. This is executive rascality at its peak and a shameless attack on democracy.”
The PDP warned that it would not fold its arms while its members were “intimidated and persecuted” under the guise of anti-corruption. It threatened to mobilise its supporters to occupy the EFCC facility in Kaduna if its detained members were not released immediately.
“The PDP demands the immediate release of our detained members by the EFCC. Failure to comply will leave us with no choice but to mobilise our members across the state to occupy the EFCC facility,” the chairman declared.
Masha also appealed to the EFCC chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, to intervene “before the situation degenerates into an uncontrollable point”.
“We appeal to the EFCC chairman to act swiftly and release our members. We will not sit idly by while security and anti-graft agencies are used to intimidate and oppress our members. The PDP is committed to defending democracy and the rights of its members in Kaduna State at all costs,” he added.
Reiterating the party’s stance, Masha vowed that the Kaduna PDP would resist any attempt to weaken the opposition through what he called “illegal arrests, propaganda, and executive intimidation.”
He stressed that the PDP remained focused on holding the ruling government accountable and protecting the democratic process in the state.
“This is not just about the PDP. It is about democracy and the rights of citizens to freely participate in the electoral process without fear of intimidation or persecution. We will continue to defend our members and ensure that justice is done,” Masha said.
Meanwhile, PDP leaders in Kaduna vowed to sustain pressure until their candidate and campaign DG regain freedom.
“The PDP in Kaduna will not back down. Our candidate must be released. Our Campaign DG must be released. Democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation,” Masha added.
