Ayomide Awe
The Ogun State Youth Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Oyejide Sunkanmi, popularly known as Suco, has called for the immediate release of Asaolu Gafar, a member of the party’s youth wing, detained by the Ogun State Police Command.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Gafar was reportedly detained last week after voluntarily responding to a police invitation.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, Oyejide described Gafar’s detention as unconstitutional and an affront to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
The PDP youth leader decried the growing trend of detaining citizens without proper investigation, alleging that the police action against Gafar was politically motivated.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State of orchestrating clampdowns on opposition members to stifle dissent.
“I condemn in strong terms this endless clampdown on members of the main opposition party, PDP, by the powers that be,” the statement read.
Oyejide further highlighted the violence and irregularities that marred the November 16 local government elections in Ogun State.
He alleged that APC thugs attacked PDP members across various polling units, leaving many injured and undergoing treatment.
“The Ogun State standard is at an all-time low under the watch of Governor Dapo Abiodun. We witnessed the worst local government election in the history of Ogun State on November 16.
“ There was no election in most polling units, yet APC candidates were declared winners. In polling units where elections took place, OGSIEC staff could not provide result sheets for the exercise,” Oyejide stated.
He described Gafar as an “easy-going, young, and vibrant individual” and criticised his prolonged detention, which he said exceeded the limits permitted by law.
He urged the police to follow due process and conduct investigations before effecting arrests.
“This is a sad development. Detaining people before investigating the issues leading to their arrest undermines justice and due process,” the PDP youth leader added.
As of press time, efforts to reach the Ogun State Police Command for a response were unsuccessful.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Omolola Odutola had yet to respond to the message sent to her mobile phone.
Calls put to her line did not go through as of the time of filing this report on Sunday.
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