THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the release of the associate of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC chieftain, Brig.-Gen. Jafaru Isa (rtd) by the EFCC barely eight hours after his arrest and continued detention of its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, as a demonstration of compromise of the war against corruption as well as the display of double-standard.

The party in a statement issued by its National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwon yesterday in Abuja,‎ said the action “vindicates its position that this Federal Government is not fighting corruption but on a clampdown mission on PDP leaders.”

The PDP lamented that its spokesman, who was arrested without prior invitation by the anti-graft agency, had remained incarcerated since Tuesday while the APC chieftain who even disregarded the commission’s invitation and had to be arrested was quickly released after the meeting of the EFCC boss with the President at the Presidential Villa.

The statement said: “The release of Jafaru Isa, a known associate of the President and chieftain of the APC eight hours after his arrest while our spokesman remains in detention even when the two are being investigated over same allegation, clearly shows that the President Buhari-led APC government is not fighting corruption but using the much hyped crusade as a cover to persecute PDP leaders and decimate the opposition, a project the EFCC has clearly yielded itself as a willing tool.”

Raising further questions on the release of Isa, the PDP asked: “Is it really true that the fund Jafaru Isa was alleged to have received from the former NSA was traced near the corridors of those who today bestride power in the country? Furthermore, can the Federal Government and the APC now, in all honesty face the world and announce that this administration is indeed waging war against corruption?

“Can the EFCC explain what has happened to several petitions by Nigerians on corruption issues against many APC leaders, including those who as former governors, who looted funds belonging to their state? Are they now under immunity for the fact that they are in the APC and that most of the funds they looted were used to finance APC’s presidential campaign?

“While we reiterate our support for any effort aimed at eradicating corruption in our nation, we stand our ground in demanding that the fight must be holistic, credible and within the limits provided by the laws irrespective of political affiliations.

“The PDP therefore, restates its demand that the EFCC immediately releases its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh or charge him to court if it has any case against him. His continued detention without being charged to court is only indicative of the fact that the commission has not been able convince itself of enough evidence of guilt and is now lending itself as a willing instrument of persecution against Chief Metuh.”