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Chides Governor Abiodun for political witchhunt
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Toyin Amuzu, has called for the release of Gaffar Asaolu, political aide to the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, Oladipupo Adebutu, from the police custody.
Asaolu was arrested by the men of Ogun State Police command for his alleged involvement in violence during the local government election held last Saturday.
Amuzu in a statement on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, faulted the “arbitrary arrest and detention” of Asaolu, demanding his release from police detention.
The PDP chieftain, who flayed the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, for allegedly ordering the arrest of Asaolu, urged the governor to face the growing security concerns in the state, rather than engaging in political witch-hunts of members of the opposition party.
He said that the continuous detention of the Director of Finance of the Atiku-Okowa Campaign Committee in the 2023 general elections, on trump up charges at the behest of the governor is unfair and I just.
Amuzu, however, condemned the killer squad tag, unfair arrest and detention of Asaolu, citing his connection to Adebutu, who was also arrested twice by the DSS and police.
He said that Adebutu was later released when no evidence was found against him, while Asaolu remains in detention, pointing out that “this is a clear case of political persecution and an affront to democracy”
“The government should focus on addressing the real security challenges facing our state, which include ritual killings, cult clashes and killings, robbery, kidnapping, and political violence especially from the ruling party rather than harassing innocent citizens, Amuzu added in the statement.
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He, therefore, called on the state government to respect the Rule of Law and ensure that all citizens are treated fairly and justly.
“The illegal arrest and detention of citizens without sufficient evidence is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights. The people of Ogun State deserve better, and it’s time for the government to take action to address the growing security concerns and put an end to political witch-hunts”, the 2023 House of Representatives PDP candidate submitted.