Reacting to the development, Obi tweeted on Tuesday that the arrest of Chude is a further confirmation of Nigeria’s poor performance in the rule of law.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for the release of Nnamdi Chude, a supporter of the Labour Party, who likened the Soludo administration in Anambra to the terror-tainted tenure of former governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
Chude had alleged on his Twitter page that he witnessed an incident where thugs allegedly procured by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra snatched ballot boxes to disrupt the voting process on March 18 out of desperation that APGA candidates might lose to Labour Party opponents in the state parliamentary elections, similar to what happened in the presidential polls.
Soludo has since confirmed the police arrested Chude in Anambra and moved him to Abuja. He, however, denied having any information about the basis of his arrest.
Reacting to the development, Obi tweeted on Tuesday that Chude’s arrest is a further confirmation of Nigeria’s poor performance in the rule of law.
He said, “After due enquiries, I regret to say that the arrest of Mr Nnamdi @chude__ is a further confirmation of Nigeria’s poor and declining performance in the Rule of Law, Voice and Accountability, and other governance indicators.
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“With Voice, and Accountability, the No 1 key indicator of good governance, it is very important, particularly for those in authority to note and accept that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and ingredient for the development of a good society.
“While I appreciate that the freedoms must be exercised in line with the rule of law, arresting Nigerians for tweeting on their leaders and those in authority decimates the opportunity for inclusive governance and accountability which are highly needed in a developing country like Nigeria.”
Obi said leaders must understand that citizens have different thoughts about them and leaders have the right of reply.
“I therefore appeal to all concerned to please treat the issue most objectively on rule of law, and compassionately release the young man in question,” he added.