The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State strongly condemned the unlawful arrest, harassment, and continued detention of Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Oloje, a prominent PDP chieftain in Oloje community, Ilorin West LG by the Kwara State Police Command.
It called for the immediate and unconditional release of the party member or be charged to court if there is a legitimate case against him.
According to the party, “the arrest is a blatant attempt to oppress opposition members into silence following the backlash that greeted the fraudulent local government elections in the state.”
In a statement issued in Ilorin on Wednesday, signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party reminded Kwarans that the allegations used by the police to re-arrest Alhaji Sulu-Oloje were the same charges taken to court on the eve of the flawed local government elections, for which he was duly granted bail by the court.
“Additionally, all complainants in the case have withdrawn their petitions and expressed a desire to settle the matter amicably to protect their community’s interest.
“This was reaffirmed by all of the complainants, who also came in solidarity to the police headquarters, Ilorin and stayed up till late night yesterday even though they are all members of the ruling APC.
“It is clear that Alhaji Sulu-Oloje’s only ‘crime’ before the Commissioner of police is his membership in the PDP.
“While our party remains committed to peaceful conduct and lawfulness, we will not tolerate the use of state apparatus to intimidate our members
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Alhaji Sulu-Oloje. If there is a legitimate case against him, the police must charge him to court today to allow the law to take its course.
“Furthermore, we call on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the activities of the Kwara State Police Command under its current leadership to ensure that the police are not used as a political weapon by desperate politicians in the state,” the party demanded.
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