By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Salihu Yakasai, son of elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, from security custody.
The party stated that Salihu Yakasai did not break any known Nigerian law other than condemning the insecurity in all parts of the country.
The party however described the arrest and detention of Salihu by security operatives as unacceptable.
The main opposition party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, lamented that Salihu Yakasai’s ordeal was a sad reminder of the sudden disappearance of another known critic of the Buhari administration, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Abu Hanifa Dadiyata, since August 2019.
Besides, the PDP reminded agents of the APC-led administration that Nigeria was a democratic nation and that the rights of citizens, including their freedom of expression, within the ambit of the law, were guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and as such, must be respected.
“Our party therefore rejects the arrest of Salihu Yakasai for joining other patriotic Nigerians in demanding a Presidential commitment of a decisive action to rescue the abducted Zamfara schoolgirls as well as to end all acts of terrorism in our country,” the party stated.
It also condemned the decision of the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, to relieving Salihu Yakasai of his appointment as his Special Adviser on media on the ground that his patriotic demand for a decisive action to end terrorism, was contrary to the stand of the APC government.
It alleged that Governor Ganduje equally warned all political appointees and public servants in the state against such patriotic expressions like those made by Salihu.
The action of the Governor Ganduje, it stated, had again heightened apprehension on the alleged connections between APC leaders and the bandits pillaging the nation.
The PDP however demanded that Governor Ganduje came clean on the Matter, stressing, “This is because such stances have continued to embolden bandits while frustrating patriotic citizens who are raising voices against acts of terrorism in our country.”
Besides, the PDP advised Nigerians to hold the APC and its leaders responsible for the escalated acts of banditry and terrorism in the country as well as any harm that suddenly comes the way of well-meaning citizens who are raising their voices against the activities of outlaws in the nation.