PDP Condemns Dokpesi’s Arrest; Alleges Planned Clampdown On Mass Media

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, December 1st, 2015

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

The opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the arrest Tuesday of its Chieftain, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and other opposition elements by the APC-led Federal Government (FG).

The party Tuesday alleged it has been hinted that more notable of the PDP leaders have been listed for arrest over unverified allegation, pursuant to the plot by the APC to cow and silence the opposition in the country.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh the PDP said the military style of pronouncement of guilt on Chief Dokpesi before any fair hearing, betrayed the fact that he was a victim of political persecution and mob trial by the APC government because of his association with the PDP.

“While the PDP is not against the war against corruption, we insist that the crusade must be carried out within the limits of the law and not as a guise to persecute and torture opposition elements in the country.

“Our fear is that with the pronouncement of guilt even without being giving the opportunity within his rights as a citizen to state his own side of the story, the President Buhari-led government is sidestepping the laws to ensure that Chief Dokpesi does not get justice in the court, a plot which they want to extend to other PDP leaders.

“The PDP therefore demands an open and public trial of all those arrested so that all issues and charges against them as well as their defence therein would also be in the public domain. We demand a proper investigation and lawful prosecution instead of the reprehensible resort to outright political persecution, which can only have a place in a military regime.

“We also note that this development may not be unconnected with the planned onslaught against the media, following its commitment in holding this dictatorial regime accountable since it took office” PDP alleged.

The opposition called on the international community and human rights bodies worldwide, to take note of the “growing impunity and gross violation of human rights by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government tailored to decimate the opposition and cow the media in Nigeria”.