The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the arrest of its Akwa Ibom State Publicity Secretary, Ewa Okpo, alleging that the action is aimed at intimidating opposition members for exercising their constitutional rights.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said Okpo was being interrogated by officers of the Police Quick Intervention Unit in Ikot Akpan Abia over a petition said to have been submitted by former Senator Effiong Bob.
The party maintained that the issue raised in the petition is a civil matter and should not involve the police.
“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 statement read.
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The PDP further accused influential individuals of deploying security agencies to harass and silence those perceived to be political opponents.
“We strongly condemn any attempt by highly placed people to use security agencies to hound and intimidate real or perceived opponents into political submission,” the PDP said.
The statement also disclosed that the National Chairman of the party’s Interim National Working Committee had instructed the National Legal Adviser to assemble a high-powered legal team to defend Okpo and another PDP member in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the party, the legal intervention is intended to safeguard members whom it believes are being persecuted for exercising their constitutional and political freedoms.
“The party will defend any of its officials or members who are arrested, intimidated or threatened in the course of the exercise of their fundamental or political rights, which are protected by the constitution,” the PDP stated.