PDP demands immediate release of Buba Galadima arrested by DSS over claims he intends declaring Atiku the winner

NIGERIA'S Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the unconditional release of its member Alhaji Buba Galadima who was allegedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday.

According to media reports, Alhaji Galadima was arrested by security agents yesterday and is still in the custody of the DSS. PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus, said that the party condemned the arrest in the strongest possible terms, describing Alhaji Galadima as a patriot, whose patriotism had been previously and strongly highlighted by various Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Secondus said: “What crime has he committed? I answer my own question and say none. Mr Galadima is constitutionally guaranteed a right of freedom of speech and freedom after the speech.”

During the campaign, Alhaji Galadima was a very visible and vocal voice of the PDP, taking on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in numerous television debates.  According to Mr Secondus, there were issues of concern in the country that no action had been taken by the law enforcement authorities against those who committed electoral offences,  yet a patriot and pro-democracy activist is arrested.

He expressed concern that the APC Presidential Campaign Council called for the arrest of Alhaji Galadima at noon on Sunday and the arrest was duly carried out by the DSS an hour later. PDP publicity secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, revealed that the arrest took place in Abuja, adding that he was still making efforts to obtain further details.

APC presidential campaign spokesman Festus Keyamo, had earlier accused Alhaji Galadima of recording a video announcing the PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the winner of the Saturday’s polls. It is now feared that he was arrested in connection with this allegation, although Mr Keyamo is yet to provide any evidence to back his claims.