PDP Raises Legal Team Over Arrest Of Akwa Ibom Spokesman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the arrest of the Publicity Secretary of its Akwa Ibom State chapter, Ewa Okpo.

The party said Okpo was arrested following a petition by Senator Effiong Bob over what it described as the exercise of his constitutional right to freedom of speech.

Naija News reports that this was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday (today) by the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong.

The PDP said it had made contact and confirmed that Okpo was being interviewed by police authorities at the Quick Intervention Unit, Ikot Akpan Abia.

“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 party said.

The PDP condemned what it called attempts by highly placed individuals to use security agencies to harass and intimidate perceived political opponents.

“Furthermore, we strongly condemn any attempt by highly placed people to use security agencies to hound and intimidate real or perceived opponents, into political submission.

“We remind them that every person’s antecedence is an open book, which the world is invited to read. And when their book is out in the public, the concomitant reaction is better imagined,” the statement added.

The party said the National Chairman of the Interim National Working Committee had directed the National Legal Adviser to immediately set up a high-powered legal team to represent Okpo.

It added that the legal team would also defend another party faithful in Akwa Ibom State who, according to the party, had been targeted for oppression by “anti-free speech persons or institutions.”

The PDP said it would continue to defend its officials and members against intimidation.

“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,” it said.