The Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) has urged the Nigeria Police to come out clear on the ‘fact-finding’
invitation, extended to former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Fani-Kayode has been asked to
appear on Tuesday, over “alleged conspiracy, criminal defamation and inciting
publication.”
In a statement by its National
Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said while it was not against any
lawful step by the police in carrying out its duties, “the police must ensure
that it is not being used by the All Progressive Congress (APC) in its
desperate quest to muzzle free speech and subjugate Nigerians, particularly the
opposition, ahead of the 2019 general election.”
According to the statement, the
police invitation was unclear on the specifics of the “conspiracy, criminal
defamation and inciting publication likely to cause breach of peace.”
PDP, therefore, urged the police
to “come out clear on why it has invited Chief Kayode and resist attempts by
the APC to entangle it with controversial political issues.”
The statement partly reads: “This
is particularly as the letter inviting Chief Kayode did not state in specific
terms, the alleged issues or conduct bordering on ‘conspiracy, criminal
defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood and conduct likely to
cause breach of peace’, for which he has been invited.
“We hope that the invitation is
not a set up and part of the design to emasculate citizens, which is now being
unleashed on media houses, journalists and other citizens for alleged comments
and publications considered to be against the interest of the ruling party.
“This is because reports, already
available in credible media, have it that Chief Kayode’s invitation ‘may not be
unconnected’ with an interview he granted the Africa Independent Television
(AIT) where he reportedly controverted claims by the Presidency and the APC
that it was Senate President Bukola Saraki that masterminded the widely
condemned invasion of the National Assembly.
“Moreover, the recent detention
of the Premium Times reporter, the arraignment of Senator Isah Misau for
allegedly making injurious statement against the IG of Police, the invitation
of Mr. Kassim Afegbua, the spokesman of former military President Ibrahim
Babangida for issuing a statement considered critical to this administration
and the recent demolition of the studio of Flash FM in Ibadan, Oyo State
capital for allegedly airing materials considered against the interest of the
APC in the state, readily come to mind.
“We therefore urge the Police to
come out clear on why it has invited Chief Kayode and resist attempts by the
APC to entangle it with controversial political issues.”
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