Bye-election: Kwara PDP decries arrest of members

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state has condemned the arrest of some of its members including the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Agriculture and Rural Water Support Services, Hon. Anu Ibiwoye by security operatives deployed for the bye-election in Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin/Irepodun Federal Constituency.

The party in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, alleged that Ibiwoye and his driver were arrested by security men in his hometown of Ijan in Esie and were taken to an unknown destination.

It described the arrest of the politician and his driver as unlawful and barbaric, and demanded their immediate release.

“We condemn this act of impunity by the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and demand the unconditional and immediate release of Hon. Anu Ibiwoye and all our members that have been indiscriminately arrested by the security agents.”

The PDP accused the federal government and the APC of using state institutions to harass and intimidate opposition members, stressing that this act constitutes a threat to the nation’s democracy.

The party said the APC having perceived its imminent defeat in the bye – election resorted to launching desperate tactics including attacks on PDP members and snatching of ballot boxes by imported APC thugs in a bid to manipulate the electoral process.

“There are reports that political thugs acting on the order of APC chieftain and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, attacked voters and snatched ballot boxes at some polling units in Oro, Irepodun local government, where he hails from.

“We therefore call on the media, local and international observers to rise against these undemocratic acts by the FG and APC. The APC must be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order caused by this act of impunity.”