• We’re not politicians, commission fires back
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State chapter, has alleged that former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is still being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Command, because he refused to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It said Ahmed’s travails at the EFCC, including harassment, were to force the former governor into the APC fold. However, the EFCC summarily dismissed the allegation, disclosing that the former governor is still detained because he has not met bail conditions.
The anti-graft agency, while dispelling the insinuation, described it as a mere fabrication and fallacious. Addressing the media at a solidarity rally, yesterday, the state PDP alleged that it would be difficult for APC to coerce the former governor into its fold.
Recalling Ahmed’s agony in EFCC custody since Monday, PDP Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, wondered why the former governor should be held beyond 48 hours under poor conditions.
“We are not against the war against corruption, but let it follow due process,” he urged. Alleging that the only condition for freedom laid down before Ahmed by the anti-graft office is defection to APC, Adewara said: “Since Monday he (Ahmed) has been in the custody of EFCC, who asked him to defect to APC for him to be released,” adding that PDP, the major opposition in the state, would no longer tolerate political persecution.
According to him, aside physical harassment, the former governor was denied food. “They did not allow us to give him food. Imagine EFCC not allowing him access to meal until 1pm,” he said.
MEANWHILE, EFCC Zonal Commander, Michael Nzekwe, while addressing the pro-Ahmed protesters, explained that their protest was constitutional and in order.
“You have the right to protest, provided it is peaceful. I have listened to you clearly, but remember that EFCC is the creation of law and at no time shall we go against it. Every action taken so far is within the confines of the establishing law.”
“We received weighty petition for which we invited former Governor Ahmed and we are happy that he is cooperating,” he stated. On the allegation of forcing the PDP stalwart to join APC, Nzekwe queried: “Since when did we at EFCC become politicians? We’re not partisan, and we are not forcing anyone to join APC.”
He however commended the governor for cooperating with his men, recalling that he drove himself to the agency “and has been helping us, only that he has not been able to meet conditions for his bail.”
PDP loyalists had marched to the EFCC office with placards that read, “No to illegal detention, respect the rule of law”, “EFCC is not a department of APC”, “EFCC, don’t instigate political crisis in Kwara”, “The opposition cannot be silenced” and “Maigida has nothing to hide, EFCC must follow due process”.
