The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to some comments credited to its party member over the continuous detention of its embattled national spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh.

In a press release made available to
Naij.com, the party informed that it has not
changed its earlier demand that Metuh, who
reportedly tore his statement made to the
EFCC , be released immediately or charged to
court.
The statement signed by PDP’s national legal
adviser Barrister Victor Kwon, reads: “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.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is
increasingly unhappy with the detention of
its embattled national spokesperson, Chief
Olisa Metuh.
“This clarification is on the instance of
strange publications in the media credited to
Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo on the arrest, by the
EFCC, of some of our leaders and particularly
our National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa
Metuh.
“Jalo was also 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.
“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. Under
our constitution, only the National Chairman
and the National Publicity Secretary or any
body 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.
“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 has expressly explained in various
statements and press conferences that it is
not in any way against fighting corruption
provided it is done within the confines of
rule of law and respect for the fundamental
Human rights of citizens.
“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.
“All lovers of democracy, including the
international community should take critical
look at the various breaches of this
administration and the threat it brings to
civil liberty and national stability and rein in
this government to respect the values of
democracy.”