Jalo Spoke For Himself – Pdp, Insists On Metuh’s Release
BEVERLY HILLS, January 12, (THEWILL) – The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has not changed its demand that the Party's spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh be immediately released or charged to court by the EFCC.
It also debunked the media statement credited to Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, who was quoted to have spoken on behalf of the PDP in calling on former President Goodluck Jonathan to speak out on the controversial arms deal scandal, saying he spoke for himself.
“The national leadership of the party wishes to clarify that Jalo is not a member of the National Working Committee and does not have the mandate of the party to speak on its behalf on any matter whatsoever,” the party declared in a media statement.
“Under our constitution, only the National Chairman and the National Publicity Secretary or anybody so designated by the National Chairman or the National Working Committee speaks for the party.
“Jalo, clearly does not have this mandate and could not have been speaking for our party.”
In the statement, signed by Barr. Victor Kwon, National Legal Adviser, PDP, the party took a swipe at president Buhari describing the anti- corruption fight as a witch-hunt on PDP leaders, and demanded Metuh's release.
“We also wish to reiterate our stand that President Buhari-led Federal Government has turned the anti- corruption fight as a witch-hunt on PDP leaders, with a view to decimating the party and installing its desired one party state in the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the official position of our great party remains that our spokesman should be released or charged to court as he remains innocent until proven otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction, in line with the provisions of our constitution and the laws of Nigeria.
“The PDP is therefore resolute in challenging the continued detention of our spokesman for a week now, beyond the limits provided by the laws in violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights as a citizen.
“We are solidly behind our spokesman in the demand for the enforcement of his rights and liberty. Our demand that he is immediately released or charge to court has not changed.
“Chief Olisa Metuh has the right under the law to his statement and the onus lies on the investigating agency to charge him to court and not to arrogate itself the duties of the judiciary.
The PDP called on all lovers of democracy, including the international community to intervene over what it described as 'threat to civil liberty and national stability' by the government.
Story by David Oputah