The Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, called for the immediate release of Mr. Ben Bako, the Director of Media Committee of the Kaduna state, Governorship Campaign Organization, who was detained by the Department of State Services over the weekend.

In a statement issued by the party on its verified Twitter handle, PDP accused the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, of witch-hunt.

The statement stated, “The PDP completely rejects the on-going clampdown, unlawful arrest and detention of our officials and members in various parts of the country by the Buhari Presidency and the APC ahead of the general election.

“This is highly provocative and a direct invitation to anarchy and a political crisis that is capable of derailing our democratic order.

“Our party is concerned over the unwarranted arrest of the Director of Media Committee of the Kaduna state PDP Governorship Campaign Organization, Mr. Ben Bako, who has been detained by the Department of State Services since last weekend.

“We are aware that Mr. Ben Bako’s arrest is prelude to the planned clampdown of our campaign officials by the @MBuhari Presidency and the APC, whose aim is to instill fear in the polity, incite crisis and derail the electoral process.

“It is instructive to state that the DSS has given no reason for Mr. Ben Bako’s arrest and detention, but only acted on the orders of the APC as expressed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary of Kaduna APC, Salisu Tanko Wusono, who openly stated that Mr. Bako deserves his ordeal.

“Further reports reaching us at the PDP from our Kaduna State chapter indicate that many of our leaders including former governors of Kaduna state, Sen. Ahmed Markarfi and Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero; PDP Kaduna state chapter chairman, etc, are now being trailed by agents of the APC.

“The PDP therefore demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Ben Bako by the DSS without hurt or further harassment.”

Feb. 11, 2019 @ 04: 22 GMT |