Zamfara PDP asks Matawalle to ensure release of ex-minister arrested for ‘vandalism’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara has asked Bello Matawalle, governor of the state, to order the release of Ikira Aliyu Bilbis, a former minister of state for information.

Bilbis, a senatorial candidate, was arrested for alleged vandalism on Monday.

The police had said he was arrested for allegedly destroying billboards belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) — a claim the PDP in the state denied.

In a statement entitled “Critical National Alert” on Saturday, Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, a member of the house of representatives, speaking on behalf of the party, alleged that several people in Zamfara are being “persecuted” for one reason or the other.

While describing the alleged developments as “repressive tendencies”, Gumi claimed that no other party in the state is allowed to erect billboards apart from the APC.

“These repressive tendencies violate the provisions of the electoral act 2022,” the lawmaker said.

“Across the state, the peaceful assemblage of opposition parties, particularly the PDP is constantly being disrupted by state government-backed thugs, our campaigns vehicles are being confiscated and except for the APC in Zamfara.

“Beyond political parties, it is public knowledge that two journalists are currently being persecuted by Matawalle’s government.

“On Monday, the 28th day of November 2022, our colleague, a former minister of communications and PDP senatorial candidate for Zamfara central, Alhaji Ikira Aliyu Bilbis and many other supporters of the PDP were arrested on trumped up charges of vandalism.

“Dr Matawalle and the APC, the masterminds of the arrest, alleged that billboards belonging to their party were destroyed by the former minister when our leader and the governorship candidate of our party, Dr Dauda Lawal Dare, visited the state last Sunday.

“Following the arrest of Alhaji Bilbis and others, they were charged to court by the police only to encounter the mischievous incarceration antics of Dr Matawalle and the APC.”

Gumi said bail has been granted to Bilbis by the court but the condition is stringent.

“A serving permanent secretary with the Zamfara state civil service is expected to guarantee Alhaji Bilbis before he will be freed,” he said.

“The question is, who is that permanent secretary in Zamfara state that will dare his paymaster to make such a move? Certainly, no not one. We understand their plights.”

The lawmaker said President Muhammadu Buhari and Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), should note that the lives of members of the opposition are under threat.

Meanwhile, the IGP said no governor can prevent opposition political parties from holding their rallies.