Dr Peter Obi
2023: Obi condemns ‘silent arrest’ of supporters by security agents
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 General Elections, Dr Peter Obi, has condemned the harassment meted out to his supporters by security agents in the aftermath of last Saturday’s successful ‘Five-Million-Man-March’ held in Lagos.
Obi in a series of tweets via his verified Twitter handle (@PeterObi), Tuesday, berated the ‘silent arrest’ of his supporters by security agents in the country since the conclusion of Lagos rally, which he described as ‘extremely disturbing and condemnable.’
It would be recalled that a supporter of the Presidential candidate, simply identified as ‘Obi Flag Boy, was allegedly attacked at Oshodi, in Lagos, while another Nigerian said to have arrived from France to participate in the last Saturday rally, Joseph Onuorah, was arrested and detained at the airport.
“We must ensure that everyone is given a level playing field in the forthcoming elections, and that no eligible Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation is disenfranchised, more so through violence and intimidation. I call on the Federal and State agencies to remind their operatives on the need to respect civil liberties.
“Elections are not deemed free and fair when a certain group employs the tool of intimidation to ensure that the opposition is silenced, both at the campaigns and at the polls.
“Peaceful assembly and unfettered electioneering campaigns are constitutionally guaranteed. Both and other ordered liberties cannot be breached wilfully by security agents.
“Recent reports of OBIdients being silently arrested by some security agents is extremely disturbing and condemnable. We must ensure that everyone is given a level playing field in the forthcoming elections, and that no eligible Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation is disenfranchised, more so through violence and intimidation. I call on the Federal and State agencies to remind their operatives on the need to respect civil liberties,” the LP candidate added.
The LP candidate also called on security agents to respect civil liberties during the campaigns and at the polls.
