August 12, (THEWILL) — The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has expressed concerns over the arrest of its leader and former Governor of the State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement released by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, the arrest is viewed by all Nigerians as continuing the assault on political dissent in the country.
“The People’s Democratic Party in Sokoto State wishes to express alarm at the escalating deployment of state institutions as tools of repression against political opposition by the Government of Ahmed Bola Tinubu, through its agents across the country.”
The party noted that the selective and discriminatory manner in which the anti-graft agency conducts its activities has proved the desperation of the APC-led government to cling to power against growing national rejection.
It added that the motive of the trumped-up probe is obvious to the people of Sokoto State, who testify to the fiscal discipline and financial prudence of Tambuwal’s eight-year administration as Governor, especially those who served in his government.
“We note that the so-called investigation is a mere fishing trip at the instance of political actors within the state and Abuja, who have in the past several years, been obsessed with smearing his enviable image and intimidating him into abandoning his opposition to their misrule.
“It is common knowledge in many quarters in Sokoto State that the current issue being touted by the anti-corruption body is an old phantom that has repeatedly hit the brick wall.
“The matter is, therefore, being raised from the dead by desperate political forces, who themselves have genuine corruption case files gathering dust at the EFCC that are ignored for obvious partisan reasons.”
The party, however, urged the anti-graft agencies in the country to live above board and desist from being tools for the execution of political agendas, saying, “Constitutional obligations to the nation should take precedence over the whims of repressive elements in the corridors of power.
“The PDP shares the confidence of the people of Sokoto State in the unblemished credibility of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and our trust in his ethical and moral uprightness cannot be shaken by trumped-up probes, while we remain resolute in following his lead in the pursuit of change in our state and nation at large.”
It urged supporters of the party and the people of Sokoto to remain law-abiding and steadfast in the demand for change towards genuine democracy and good governance in Sokoto state and Nigeria.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
