ASHENEWS reports that the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has kicked against alleged victimisation and intimidation of its members, their families, associates, and former government officials under the immediate past administration of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
A statement by the spokesperson of the party, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, made available to newsmen on Monday, also expressed displeasure at the unlawful involvement of security operatives, including the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who have been deployed to harass our members, especially former local government council chairmen, Commissioners, and party officials.
Read the statement below:
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sokoto state chapter has observed with dismay the ongoing victimisation and intimidation of members of our political party, their families and associates as well as former government officials under the immediate past administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR.
The party also expressed displeasure at the unlawful involvement of security operatives, including the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who have been deployed to harass our members, especially former local government council chairmen, Commissioners, and party officials.
The party leadership wants to bring to the public notice how past governments (Federal and State) have implemented the monetization policy of their outgoing officials by auctioning official residence and vehicles according to the provisions of the law.
That, we unequivocally state that, government officials during the administration of former governor, Aliyu Wamakko, including the present governor, Ahmed Aliyu, who was the Commissioner for Health at that time, were assigned official vehicles for official duties. And, after Aminu Tambuwal was elected as governor, all went away with the vehicles without any form of evidence that they were auctioned to them.
That, in-spite of the knowledge that Wamakko’s appointees went away with the vehicles, Tambuwal looked the other side because of his lack of belief in political vendetta and witch hunt of political opponents.
That, our party also noted that, at the expiration of Tambuwal’s tenure, official vehicles assigned to local government council chairmen, Commissioners and other functionaries of government, were duly officially auctioned to them, with proof to show.
That, the party has observed how the Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu and his party (APC), has resorted to using security personnel to intimidate PDP officials, who legally acquired the vehicles through auction.
That, our party lawfully raised the alarm over the needless intimidation and wanton arrest by security agents of our members over vehicles duly auctioned to them by the immediate past administration.
The party leadership however, called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS, and that of the NSCDC, to caution the heads of security agencies in Sokoto State against allowing their men to be used for political vendetta.
That, our party also cautions security agencies in Sokoto state, to desist from such activities as well as against any form of intimidation of our members and their families.
The party expressed determination to resist all unlawful attempts by any person or group to victimize or oppress our members and their families for political reasons.
That our party and its loyal members are resolute and committed to the cause of rule of law, peace and orderliness in Sokoto state.
Signed:
Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal,
PDP Publicity Secretary,
Sokoto State
