The Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday raised the alarm over the arrest of the party’s Akwa Ibom State Publicity Secretary, Ewa Okpo.
The party alleged that the spokesman was arrested by the police following a petition by Senator Effiong Bob “over the exercise of his constitutional right to freedom of speech.”
Senator Bob represented Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District from 2003 to 2011 on the platform of the PDP.
“We have made contact and are aware that the police authorities at the Quick Intervention Unit, Ikot Akpan Abia, are currently interviewing Ewa on the subject of the petition, which is ex facie civil in nature, not requiring the intervention of the police.
“However, we are hopeful that the police will exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties,” the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stated on Tuesday while reacting to the development.
The INWC condemned the alleged attempts by influential persons to use security agencies to intimidate political opponents, adding that actions taken in violation of the law would be accounted for someday.
“Furthermore, we strongly condemn any attempt by highly placed people to use security agencies to hound and intimidate real or perceived opponents into political submission.
“We remind them that every person’s antecedence is an open book, which the world is invited to read. And when their book is out in the public, the concomitant reaction is better imagined,” it added.
The party disclosed that the Chairman of the INWC, Dr Tanimu Turaki, had already directed that legal representation be provided for Okpo.
It promised to defend any of its members who are held unjustly.
“To this end, the National Chairman of the Interim National Working Committee has directed the National Legal Adviser to immediately set up a high-powered legal team to provide legal representation to Ewa Okpo, Esq., and another party faithful in Akwa Ibom State who has been targeted for oppression by anti-free speech persons or institutions.
“The party will defend any of its officials or members who are arrested, intimidated or threatened in the course of exercising their fundamental or political rights, which are protected by the Constitution,” it said.
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