Arrest of Abaribe, political witch-hunt, says group

Gyang Bere, Jos

A socio-cultural organisation under the aegis of Izu-Umunna, has described the arrest of Sen. Enyinnaya Harcourt Aberibe, as a political witch-hunt.

The group, in a press statement signed by its President, Dr. Ugo Ihekuna and Secretary, Barr. Tony Egwuonwu, in Jos, on Friday, said the refusal of the DSS operatives to allow Sen. Abaribe access to his lawyers, doctors and family members during the illegal detention further revealed a sinister motive on their part.

The group said, “We are inclined to agree with several other commentators that his ordeal is directly linked to his boldness in speaking truth to power and criticism of government obnoxious policies, as we restates our appreciation of Senator Aberibe’s quality representation of his Abia South constituency in particular and Ndigbo in general in the upper chamber of National Assembly.

“We also place on record our appreciation for men of goodwill, including the human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, who added their voice in condemning this ignoble act.

“As we approach the 2019 general elections, we appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and the international communities to prevail on the government to always tolerate dissenting views in our democracy and direct efforts towards good governance which includes provision of adequate security.”

They group said though, the senator was later released and allowed access to his lawyer, it frowned at the embarrassment the DSS made Abaribe go through, adding that the witch-hunt was as a result of the senator’s bold stands in speaking the truth and criticism of government obnoxious policies.