Bomba Dauda
The Kaduna State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the arraignment and subsequent remand of its Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election candidate, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, and her Campaign Director General, Hon. Shehu Fatangi, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The duo were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 10, 2025, and ordered to remain in custody at Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres until September 15, despite efforts by their legal team to secure bail.
In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Maria Dogo, the PDP described the development as another attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaponize security and anti-graft agencies to intimidate and suppress opposition voices in Kaduna under Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
The party recalled that on August 16, its candidate, campaign DG, and 25 others were allegedly abducted in a security operation by Operation Fushin Kada. Funds meant for logistics and agent welfare were also seized during the raid. While Dawaki and others were later released after public outcry, Fatangi and the seized funds were handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), where he was allegedly paraded as a PDP agent involved in vote buying.
According to the PDP, Fatangi was subsequently transferred to the EFCC, detained for weeks, and later arraigned alongside Dawaki on charges of money laundering and vote buying.
State party chairman Sir Edward Percy Masha led a delegation of PDP leaders to court in solidarity with the duo. The party reaffirmed its commitment to securing their release, expressing confidence in the judiciary to grant them bail and clear them of what it termed “spurious charges.”
“We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of Mrs. Dawaki and Mr. Fatangi during this trying period. We assure our members and supporters of our unwavering resolve to secure their release at the earliest possible time,” the statement read.
