The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Kwara state on Friday condemned the arrest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara south,Senator Rafiu Ibrahim,describing it as unlawful and unacceptable.
The serving senator was arrested on Thursday by security operatives following clash by his supporters and those of his main contender in All Progressives Congress (APC),Arc Lola Ashiru in Ojoku his home town on Tuesday which claimed lives while many sustained injuries.
Addressing a crowded press conference, with international election observers in attendance in Ilorin, the chairman of the CNPP in the state, Alhaji Adebayo Lawal, said that the federal lawmaker’s arrest was part of the grand plot to scuttle the electoral process in Kwara state and subvert the will of the people.
The coalition of the opposition political parties in the state also said Ibrahim’s arrest and detention by the police since Thursday confirmed its earlier position that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government in connivance with security agencies planned a clampdown on opposition leaders in the state.
He called on the international community to intervene and not only ensure the release of Senator Ibrahim, but guide against further unlawful arrest of opposition figures in the state.
Adebayo said,”Barely 24 hours to the Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections, officers of the Nigerian Police Force, forcefully arrested and detained Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, the senator representing Kwara South senatorial district, and the candidate of the PDP for the election.
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