(Ilorin)
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Kwara state has cried out over alleged plan by the state government to arrest some of its stalwarts on trumped up charges.
The leading opposition party in the state made this known in a petitioned addressed to the Kwara State Director of the Department of State Security Services (DSS).
The petition, dated May 8,2020 was signed by the state PDP’s legal adviser, Barr. Michael Aborishade in Ilorin.
It is entitled, ” Baseless and unfounded allegation against some chieftains of the PDP and the PDP of inducing women to protest against the lockdown order of the Kwara state government ”
The PDP called for an indept investigation of the allegation levelled against it and its leaders by the state Commissioner for Communication, to ascertain the genuineness or otherwise of such allegation it described as unfounded.
The PDP’s petition reads in part:”On Monday the 4th day of May, 2020, the Kwara state government, through the Commissioner for Communication, Mr Murtala Olareweju,made concocted baseless, frivolous, unfounded, ill orchestrated and ill motivated statement.
“The ill-motivated statement is to the effect that some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party and the P.D.P in Kwara State had concluded plans to induce and or are inducing some women and women groups in Kwara state to protest and cause mayhem.
The party added that the alleged mayhem, according to the ruling party in the state, “is against the lockdown order pronounced and made by the Kwara state government against the spread of Covid-19 Pandemic in the state.”
“We are aware of a well calculated attempt by the state government to begin the arrest, enmasse, some chieftains and members of our party under the guise of alleged purported inducement of women and women groups for carrying out protest.
“At best,the calculated attempt is being sponsored and masterminded by some agents of government.
“Incitement of the members of the general public against our political party (PDP) is to be seen as not only being irresponsible but also insensitive to the plights of Kwarans and Nigerians, as regards this dangerous and dreadful Covid-19 virus.
“A mischievous attempt to further drag the name and character of our highly exalted leader, the immediate past President of the Senate of the 8th National Assembly, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki to disrepute.
“It is highly uncalled for and provocative to the numerous members of our great party and the party alike. This will however be unacceptable to us.
“In the light of the foregoing therefore, we wish to crave your indulgence as follows:
“To use your good offices to cause an indepth, detail investigations into the spurious, baseless and unfounded allegations against some chieftains of our great party and the party itself by Mr. Murtala Olarewaju.
“To take cognize of the contents and issues raised in this petition for record purposes.
“It is also for averting your men and officers from being used by the Kwara State Government at their whims and caprices.”
PDP said its indulgence was also to ensure that its members and chieftains were not illegally and unlawfully arrested,based on “a concocted, ill motivated, imaginary and purported allegation of inducement.”
