Makarfi seeks immediate release of PDP members in detention centres

….. urges PDP members not to attend Sheriff’s meetings

Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, has demanded unconditional and immediate release of its members in detention centres across the country.

The party made the call in a statement issued by the committee’s Spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye in Abuja on Monday.
This even as he urged party members across the country not to attend any meeting convened by Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, Chairman of the party.

Makarfi said that the PDP attention had been drawn to the untoward, unconstitutional and indiscriminate arrest and detention of PDP members and supporters nationwide.

He said that the PDP members were arrested and detained on phantom charges.

Makarfi said that Mr Salisu Mamuda, the Chairman of PDP Jigawa chapter was on Feb. 4, arrested for criticising the state government against spending N400 million to entertain defectors from PDP to APC.

He also recalled that Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, a 2015 PDP governorship aspirant in Lagos was also arrested by men of the Department of State Service on Feb. 17.

He said that Gbadamosi was arrested for allegedly exposing the Forex racketeering at the Central Bank of Nigeria, adding that on March 3, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, a PDP chieftain in Kogi State was arrested on trumped-up charges and detained illegally for “criticising the wrong policies, bad governance and non-performance’’ of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

“Just on April 9, 2017, Mr Austin Okai, a PDP Youth leader and frontline critic of the Yahaya Bello’s APC-led government in Kogi State, was arrested by men of the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squared (SARS) on phantom petitions by some cronies of the governor.’’

Makarfi added that there were also reports of indiscriminate arrest and detention of Nigerians in Kaduna, Edo, and Nasarawa states among others.

He described the indiscriminate arrest of PDP members as “absurd, disheartening and a serious threat’’ to Nigeria’s hard earned democracy.

“Nigerians cannot and should not be arrested and detained indiscriminately for criticising and holding government accountable.

“Constructive criticism is the primary responsibility of opposition in a democracy all over the world and Nigeria cannot be an exception.

“We will mobilise Nigerians at all levels to fight against the use of arms in a democratic system to ridicule and intimidate citizens of this country.’’

Makarfi called on all civil rights organisations across the country and in the Diaspora to rise to the defence of Nigerians.

The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, while describing the Sheriff’s team as illegal, which had no place to function in PDP, insisted that the caretaker committee remained the only authentic national executive of the party.
He said that the committee remains authentic in line with the decision of the May 21, 2016 and August 17, 2016 National Conventions of the party.

“Regarding the purported campaign or mobilisation by the non-existing National Working Committee under Sheriff, we wish to further state without any ambiguity that its actions are illegal, null and void.

“Faithful party men and women in the South-East and any other zone in Nigeria should disregard such meetings or gathering.

“The National Caretaker Committee led by Makarfi has appealed the Judgment of the February 17, 2017 at the Supreme Court.

“In the eyes of the law, until the Appeal is set aside by the Supreme Court, the National Caretaker Committee remains in charge of the affairs of the PDP.

“So, Sen. Sheriff and his co-travellers have no power to call for any meeting of party members or supervise the affairs of PDP forthwith,’’ Makarfi said.

Makarfi, therefore advised Sheriff to stop parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP.

“We further call on all security agencies and other agencies of government to stop according him or members of his illegal team any support or assistance.’’
He also condemned a statement credited to Cairo Ojougboh, the former National Vice-Chairman that Sheriff “will not accept stolen monies from Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and Chief Nyesom Wike of Rivers.”

Makarfi said that Ojougboh had no locus to speak in the capacity of Deputy National Chairman of the party.
“Ojougboh is an interloper and an impostor; and as such, any action or statement made by him and other self-appointed members of the Sheriff renegade group is illegal.

“It is null and void and should be disregarded by all loyal supporters and members of the PDP.
“Let these irritants take note that Governors Fayose and Wike and indeed all governors elected on the Platform of our great party, are men of integrity.

“Our governors are responsible and trusted party men that are working tirelessly in their various states to deliver the needed dividends of democracy.
“The people of Rivers State and Ekiti State can testify to the wonderful achievements of our governors in their states and other states governed by the PDP.’’(NAN)