Opposition Party PDP Raises Dust In Nigeria



President Muhmmandu Buhari of Nigeria

Nigeria’s opposition party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) of applying selective justice in the latter’s anti-corruption crusade. This is following the release from detention of a Chieftain of the President’s party, Brig. General Jaafaru Isa (rtd) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

While the PDP’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh is still behind bars a week after his arrest. Both men were accused of receiving monies running into millions of dollars from the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dauski under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

In a statement released today, January 10 and signed by Barr. Victor Kwon, the National legal adviser of the party, said Isah’s release was a clear indication that the APC-led administration is on a man-hunt against PDP leaders.

The party lamented that its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh has been in detention without being charged while Isa was released not long after his arrest.

The opposition said Metuh who was arrested without invitation by the anti-graft agency has remained incarcerated since Tuesday while the APC chieftain who even disregarded the commission’s invitation and had to be arrested was quickly released after the EFCC boss meeting at the Presidential villa.

The party added that Isah’s release vindicated its position that the Buhari-led administration was not fighting corruption but were on a clamp-down mission on PDP leaders.

The party queried the action of the EFCC in freeing Isa while Metuh is still being detained even when the two are being investigated over same allegation of receiving funds from the office of the National Security Adviser.

The statement reads: “We have information of the marching order from the Presidency for the immediate release of the president’s associate and that his issue is one of the major part reasons for the repeated visits of the EFCC Chairman to the Presidential villa within the period of his arrest. Of course, there is nothing hidden under the sun.

“We ask, how can the EFCC now explain to the world that it is not corrupt and teleguided by the Federal Government to persecute PDP leaders? What happened to the illegal holding charge upon which it has detained the PDP spokesman beyond the limit stipulated by section 35(5a) of the constitution and in violation of his guaranteed personal liberty under the law?”

The opposition wondered if there were two separate sets of laws, one for PDP leaders and “perceived foes of the President Buhari-led government” and another set, for Buhari’s associates and APC leaders, which guarantees them immunity from investigation and prosecution, and if arrested, an immediate release.

“Is it really true that the fund Jafaru Isa was alleged to have received from the former NSA was traced near the corridors of those who today bestride power in the country? Furthermore, can the Federal Government and the APC now in all honesty face the world and announce that this administration is indeed waging war against corruption?

 “Can the EFCC explain what has happened to several petitions by Nigerians on corruption issues against many APC leaders including those who as former governor looted funds belonging to their state? Are they now under immunity for the fact that they are in the APC and that most of the funds they looted where used to finance APC’s Presidential campaign?

“While we reiterate our support for any effort aimed eradicating corruption in our nation we stand our ground in demanding that the fight must be holistic, credible, within the limits provided by the laws irrespective of political affiliations.”

The PDP demanded that its spokesman be immediately released or charged to court if there is any case against him, saying, “His continued detention without being charged to court is only indicative of the fact that the commission has not been able convince itself of enough evidence of guilt and is now lending itself as a willing instrument of persecution against Chief Metuh.”

The party noted that it was now clear that Metuh’s detention was politically motivated.