Security Forces Acting On Kaduna Governor Sani’s Orders Abduct PDP House Of Reps Candidate, 25 Others

The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused security forces loyal to Governor Uba Sani of abducting its candidate for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, alongside 25 others, in what it described as a brazen abuse of power and an assault on democracy.

In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the party’s state chairman, Edward Percy Masha, the PDP alleged that Operation Fushin Kada — a joint security taskforce operating under the control of the Kaduna State Government — stormed City Den Hotel in Malali, Kaduna, broke into a room, and attempted to arrest the PDP Campaign Council Chairman, Hon. Hussein Ahmed-Kero.

When they failed to locate him, the statement said, the armed operatives abducted Dawaki and 25 other PDP members who were lodged at the hotel.

The PDP called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Defence Staff to immediately intervene, describing the incident as an egregious abuse of state power designed to intimidate opposition figures ahead of the bye-election. 

The party also urged civil society organisations and pro-democracy groups to rise against what it termed a blatant attack on democracy and constitutional freedoms in Kaduna State.

The bye-election, scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is meant to fill the vacant seat of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna State chapter, is compelled to bring to the public's attention the egregious actions of the Nigerian Security forces at the behest of Governor Uba Sani. 

"In a shocking display of desperation, Operation Fushin Kada - a joint security network under the Kaduna State Government - laid siege to the City Den Hotel in Malali, broke into a room in a bid to whisk away the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Hussein Ahmed-Kero, and when they could not find him, they abducted the PDP candidate for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, and 25 others.

"The PDP condemns this brazen act of harassment, intimidation, and insanity by the APC and demands the immediate and unconditional release of its candidate and all others being held hostage. 

"We call upon the Inspector-General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, to intervene and put an immediate end to this egregious abuse of power.

“We also urge civil society organisations and all lovers of democracy to rise up against this blatant attack on our democracy and constitution in Kaduna State. For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP will not be intimidated or silenced. 

"We, therefore, demand justice and the protection of our members' rights and also urge the people to stand firm and resist any attempt to intimidate or harass them or tamper with the process or outcome of the elections across all the polling units in the respective constituencies where the elections will be held.

“The APC's actions signal that the party is heading towards defeat, hence its resort to this show of force, akin to the last kick of a dying horse. 

"We wish to state, however, that no amount of intimidation can save the APC from its rejection by the people, even as the PDP will continue to stand up for their rights and freedoms. We will continue to provide updates on this and other issues.”