The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State on Sunday advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to shelve his idea of cracking down on those who criticise his ‘one man regime’ as doing so is a crime against democracy.
PDP also rejected as unlawful the denial of bail to its member, Paul Terhemba Gyenger, by the Nigeria Police Force following his arrest and detention at the state police command in Makurdi.
State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Bemgba Iortyom, told newsmen in Makurdi, that Gyenger was picked up in Makurdi and is currently being detained by the police following an alleged petition by Governor Alia wherein he claimed he was defamed by a social media post by the arrested PDP activist regarding the subsidy removal palliatives sent to the state by the federal government.
“PDP warns Governor Alia to shelve any idea of a crackdown on its members and other citizens who criticise his ‘one man regime’ which is a crime against democracy, and retrace his steps to the path of due process and rule of law, in his best interest and that of the state,” Iortyom said.
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Also, Benue PDP State Legal Adviser, Barr Clement Mue, in an interview with journalists in Makurdi, explained that he went to the police headquarters in Makurdi to secure Gyenger’s bail but one of the officers informed him that it was practically impossible to secure the suspect’s bail during the weekend.
“As a lawyer, I have to come back and wait till Monday to file a case. To my knowledge, a case of defamation is civil in nature. If my client is in police custody from Friday to Monday, it will have been more than 72 hours, which is against the law of the land,” he said.
Reacting to the PDP, the State Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Morgan Ihomun, told our correspondent on the telephone that, “Our party welcomes criticisms. Governor Alia and APC are open to any constructive criticism which is meant to sharpen democracy. This is because criticism itself is not bad, but when you dole out unsubstantiated allegations, you have to prove it.
“The government of Alia is not against criticisms but those who allege must prove. Our party is open to criticism if constructive and meant to sharpen governance. It should not however be an opportunity to insult or misinform the people; of course, one who does such will be called to account. Those who are hired by the PDP to misinform the people of Benue must be ready to face the consequences.”
