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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised an alarm over the arrest of its spokesperson, Mr Olisa Metuh.
The party, in a statement by his National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, said that the arrest of Mr Metuh, based on an intelligence the party claims it got, is part of a larger script by the government to ensure that PDP’s wings are finally clipped.
Professor Oladipo added that the effort was part of a mission of the APC-led government to install a dictatorial one-party state in the country.
The party, however, said that it is not surprised by Mr Metuh’s arrest because according to them, it came after series of threats on their party’s spokesperson
The PDP then said that “the excesses of security agencies under this government, especially the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) and the EFCC, in abridging the human rights of PDP members have become worrisome and a threat to our democratic evolution.”
The party went further to say that it was “aware of top directives to break Chief Metuh and if possible poison him during his detention by the EFCC”.
The PDP alleged that Mr Metuh has, since his arrest at about 10am on Tuesday morning, been kept incommunicado, with his lawyers denied access to him.
The opposition party alleged that the arrest of its spokesperson is the last straw that may break Nigeria’s democracy.
The party then forewarned the federal government and its agencies to save the nation’s democracy and release its National Publicity Secretary.
EFCC had late yesterday said that Metuh is being investigated over his alleged involvement in the 2.1-billion-dollar arms contract scam.
EFCC spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Metuh was being investigated over the N1.4 billion traced to the account of a company, Destra Investment Limited, linked to him in the arms contract scam.
“It is true that Metuh is being investigated by the EFCC but I do not have further details on the matter. I am not aware of his arrest by the EFCC but will get back to you as soon as it is confirmed,” he said. (Channels TV/NAN)
•Photo shows Olisa Metuh.