PDP Reprimands Uba
Bomba Dauda
The Kaduna State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned what it describes as a targeted clampdown on its members by the administration of Governor Uba Sani, accusing the state government of using federal security and anti-graft agencies to suppress opposition voices ahead of the recently concluded Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election.
In a statement released Tuesday and signed by the state PDP Chairman, Sir Edward Percy Masha, the party alleged that its candidate in the bye-election, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, August 25, and has since been detained without bail.
The party further claimed that its Campaign Director General, Alhaji Shehu Fatangi, has also been held by the EFCC for over 12 days despite meeting all conditions for administrative bail.
“This blatant abuse of power and disregard for democracy will not be tolerated,” the statement read, describing the arrests as part of a broader strategy to intimidate opposition and manipulate the August 16 bye-election results.
The PDP also accused the Kaduna State Government’s security outfit, Operation Fushin Kada, of raiding a hotel used as the PDP’s campaign office, allegedly abducting the candidate and other party leaders and confiscating campaign funds meant for agents’ logistics and welfare. According to the statement, Alhaji Fatangi was later transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS), publicly paraded as being involved in vote-buying, and subsequently handed over to the EFCC.
Calling the series of events “executive rascality” and “a shameless attack on democracy,” the party warned that it would not remain silent if its members were not immediately released.
“The PDP demands the immediate release of our detained members. Failure to comply will leave us with no choice but to take bold action, including mobilizing our members across the state to occupy the EFCC facility in Kaduna,” the statement continued.
The party also appealed directly to the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, to intervene before the situation escalates further.
While the EFCC has not yet issued an official response to the allegations, the Kaduna State Government and security agencies are expected to face increasing pressure over the handling of opposition members during the election period.
The PDP concluded its statement by affirming its commitment to defending democracy in Kaduna State and holding the government accountable.
