The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State has condemned in strong terms the detention of a social media critic, Olusegun Olusola, popularly known as Sholyment by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) over criticism of the Kwara state government.
Olushola was invited and detained Tuesday morning by some overzealous DSS operatives who were visibly acting on the orders of some top APC government officials in the State. The gentleman was released just this evening after spending hours in the custody of the security agency.
A statement by the Kwara PDP Chairman, Hon. Kola Shittu, said the arrest of Olushola, is part of rumoured plot by the present Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman APC-led government to tighten the grip on social media users and muzzle opposition elements in the State.
“This definitely was not the case during the PDP administration.
Social media critics were not gagged neither were opposition elements hounded. In fact, a radio station owned by an APC stalwart and that was notorious for inciting the public against the government was allowed to operate freely and even patronised by our government.
“The detention of Olushola for several hours by the DSS operatives amounts to abuse of power and an infringement on his fundamental right. He has done nothing wrong by attempting to hold the government accountable.
“The constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of expression. Citizens have the liberty to criticise government’s actions and inactions on and off social media. Stifling social media critics will, therefore, be most unfortunate.
“As a party, we will not allow Abdulrazaq and the APC to curtail free speech in the State, which is one of the tenets of democracy. It is very wrong for the government to harass or arrest people with opposing views.
The party also urged the DSS and other security agencies in the State not to allow themselves be used by some crooked politicians to hound and harass members of the opposition.
“We also called on our members and Kwarans not to be intimidated by any unwarranted provocation from the APC government and its agents.
“Also, as a law abiding party, we will tommorrow submit petitions to all relevant security agencies on attempts by the APC-led government to suppress opposing views.”
