The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns over the safety of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and other chieftains of the party.
A statement Wednesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged a renewed harassment of the main opposition chieftains by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
According to the PDP, the government has been using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to hound the Saraki and others in what it described as a clear case of political witch-hunt.
The party said the alleged siege against Saraki is part of a larger plot for a renewed clamp-down on key opposition figures and perceived political opponents of the APC administration, particularly, to frustrate the opposition’s determination to retrieve its “stolen” presidential mandate at the tribunal.
It added that nothing else can explain the Federal Government’s “obnoxious and distasteful” resort to intimidation and evidence-fishing, just to nail Saraki at all costs, “even when nothing incriminating has been found in his stewardship as Governor of Kwara state, after several investigations”
The statement alleged: “The Federal Government is hounding Senator Saraki even after he has been prosecuted but discharged and acquitted by the Supreme Court, after the government failed to substantiate claims of false asset declaration against him.
“The PDP holds that this renewed witch-hunt tailored against Senator Saraki and perceived opposition leaders further confirm that the Buhari Presidency and the APC have become frenetic over the overwhelming evidence that our party will present at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.
“Moreover, our party already has information on how certain elements in the APC have plotted to cash in on the new siege to harm key leaders of our party, under certain guise.
“The APC is called upon to note that Nigerians are already aware of the truth in all issues leading to this renewed harassment of the Senate President.
“We insist that no harm must come to Senator Saraki or any member of his family.
“The PDP therefore cautions the Federal Government to retrace its steps on this new plot against opposition leaders in our polity”.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
