PDP Insists On Metuh’s Release ….Says Jalo Does Not Speak For It
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has not changed its demand that the Party’s spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh be immediately released or charged to court by the EFCC.
This clarification is on the instance of strange publications in the media credited to Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo on the arrest, by the EFCC, of some of our leaders and particularly our National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.
Jalo was also quoted to have spoken on behalf of the PDP in calling on
former President Goodluck Jonathan to speak out on the controversial
arms deal scandal.
The national leadership of the party wishes to clarify that Jalo is not
a member of the National Working Committee and does not have the mandate
of the party to speak on its behalf on any matter whatsoever. Under our
constitution, only the National Chairman and the National Publicity
Secretary or any body so designated by the National Chairman or the
National Working Committee speaks for the party. Jalo, clearly does not
have this mandate and could not have been speaking for our party.
For the avoidance of doubt, the official position of our great party
remains that our spokesman should be released or charged to court as he
remains innocent until proven otherwise by a court of competent
jurisdiction, in line with the provisions of our constitution and the
laws of Nigeria.
The PDP is therefore resolute in challenging the continued detention of
our spokesman for a week now, beyond the limits provided by the laws in
violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights as a citizen. We are
solidly behind our spokesman in the demand for the enforcement of his
rights and liberty. Our demand that he is immediately released or charge
to court has not changed.
Chief Olisa Metuh has the right under the law to his statement and the
onus lies on the investigating agency to charge him to court and not to
arrogate itself the duties of the judiciary.
The PDP has expressly explained in various statements and press
conferences that it is not in any way against fighting corruption
provided it is done within the confines of rule of law and respect for
the fundamental Human rights of citizens.
We also wish to reiterate our stand that President Buhari-led Federal
Government has turned the anti- corruption fight as a witch-hunt on PDP
leaders, with a view to decimating the party and installing its desired
one party state in the country.
All lovers of democracy, including the international community should
take critical look at the various breaches of this administration and
the threat it brings to civil liberty and national stability and rein in
this government to respect the values of democracy.
Signed:
Barr. Victor Kwon
National Legal Adviser
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