PDP Faults Arrest Of Senatorial Candidate In Kwara

By Biola Adebayo

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday accused the Kwara state police command of arresting its Kwara South senatorial candidate, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim ahead of tomorrow, Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election.

Senator Ibrahim was said to have been arrested on Thursday in connection with this week Tuesday’s violence in Ojoku, Oyun local government area of the state.

Suspected thugs loyal to Senator Ibrahim on Tuesday this week allegedly attacked the campaign train of the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara south senatorial district in Ojoku, Lola Ashiru.

In the process two APC members were shot dead, eight injured and about 20 vehicles belonging to Ashiru, an architect, were allegedly vandalised.

Ojoku, is the country home of Dr Ibrahim, a serving Senator.

Kwara state PDP chairman, Kola Shittu, an engineer, said that six of PDP members sustained injuries from gunshots.

Shittu added that the senator had since denied any involvement in the mayhem.

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in the also Friday condemned the arrest of Senator Ibrahim describing it as unlawful.

CNPP said Ibrahim’s arrest and detention by the police since Thursday confirmed its earlier position that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government in connivance with security agencies planned a clampdown on opposition leaders in the state.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital the chairman of the CNPP Alhaji Adebayo Lawal, said that the federal lawmakers arrest was part of plot to scuttle the electoral process in Kwara state and subvert the will of the people.

He urged the international community to intervene and not only ensure the release of Senator Ibrahim, but guide against unlawful arrest of opposition figures in the state.

The Nation