Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, on Tuesday condemned the purported arrests of some of his supporters.
Bellnewsonline.com learned that a Lagos State coordinator for the rally organised by supporters of Obi was on Saturday reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The coordinator, Joseph Onuorah, was arrested when he arrived in Lagos on his way from France. This newspaper cannot immediately ascertain if there are other supporters of the former Anambra State governor that have been arrested on trumped-up charges. But Obi is not happy.
“Elections are not deemed free and fair when a certain group employs the tool of intimidation to ensure that the opposition is silenced, both at the campaigns and at the polls.
“Peaceful assembly and unfettered electioneering campaigns are constitutionally guaranteed. Both and other ordered liberties cannot be breached wilfully by security agents.
Recent reports of OBIdients being silently arrested by some security agents is extremely disturbing and condemnable. We must ensure that everyone is given a level playing field in the forthcoming elections, and that no eligible Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion,
“Recent reports of OBIdients being silently arrested by some security agents is extremely disturbing and condemnable,” Obi wrote on his verified Twitter handle.
“We must ensure that everyone is given a level playing field in the forthcoming elections, and that no eligible Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation is disenfranchised, more so through violence and intimidation.
“I call on the Federal and State agencies to remind their operatives on the need to respect civil liberties.”