The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its state executive committee members, leaders and stakeholders to march peacefully to the police commands in all states of the Federation.
The peaceful protest, according to the party, is against “the police brutality” in Ekiti State on Wednesday, which led to Governor Ayo Fayose allegedly being manhandled by the Police.
In a statement issued by the PDP National Organising Secretary, Colonel Austin Akobundu (retd) on Wednesday , the party asked all state chapters to deliver a protest letter to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris through their respective Commissioners of Police.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) has directed that all state chairmen mobilize former NWC members, Board of Trustees, BoT members, former governors, all state exco members, exco members of the party at all levels and stakeholders with our teaming supporters, to embark on peaceful procession to the State Police Command in their respective States to protest the police brutality that happened today (yesterday) in Ekiti State.
“The protest march must begin by 10 a.m. simultaneously across the nation.
“All State Chapters are to deliver a protest letter to the Inspector General of Police through the Commissioner of Police,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for caution over the activities of security agencies deployed to Ekiti State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election
His appeal followed Wednesday’s alleged manhandling of some people, including Governor Fayose in Ado-Ekiti, by security operatives.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan enjoined security personnel to act within the ambit of the laws of the land.
He added that the presence of armed security operatives was meant to give voters the confidence to come out on election day and vote for candidates of their choice, and not to intimidate them.
He said: “I am appealing to the security agencies deployed to Ekiti State for the governorship election to carry out their duties according to the laws of the land by securing the state in a manner that will enable a peaceful electoral process.
“If it is true that the State Governor Mr. Ayodele Fayose was assaulted as reported in the media, my appeal is that such should not be allowed to happen again, since the Governor’s constitutional immunity guarantees that he should be given official protection to freely conduct the business of governing the State.”
The former President further charged the security agencies to maintain law and, as well as prevent any development that could negatively impact on the process of deepening the nation’s democracy.