Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has condemned the alleged arrest of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State ahead of the June 20 governorship election, calling on the authorities to immediately release those detained.
The senator made the appeal while addressing party supporters at a PDP mega rally held in Ado-Ekiti over the weekend. She criticised what she described as attempts to intimidate political opponents, insisting that democracy can only flourish in an atmosphere of fairness, freedom and healthy political competition.
Her remarks come amid allegations by the PDP that members of the party were being harassed and arrested under the guise of “Form K” operations in an effort to disenfranchise voters ahead of the election.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has, however, dismissed the allegations, describing them as unfounded and maintaining that it does not require manipulation to secure victory at the polls.
Addressing the gathering, Senator Natasha argued that political contests should be based on ideas, policies and manifestoes rather than intimidation and bitterness.
“I would just call on the government to please release those people arrested under our party. I do not believe politics should be practised on the grounds of bitterness,” she said.
“I believe politics should be such that candidates will be able to campaign on their well-written manifestos and allow the public to resonate with them on their ideals or philosophies. That’s how I believe politics should be practised.”
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the forthcoming governorship election would be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, adding that the electorate should be allowed to make their choice without interference.
She also dismissed concerns that Nigeria may be drifting towards a one-party state as a result of the increasing number of defections from opposition parties to the APC.
According to her, while the PDP has experienced significant losses in its ranks, the country’s democratic system remains competitive and resilient.
“When I joined the Senate in November 2023, there were about 38 PDP senators, but today, we are just a few,” she said.
“A lot of our members decamped to the ruling party, even though some of them were later disappointed because they were promised automatic tickets and other incentives.”
Despite the defections, she maintained that the PDP remained well organised and capable of mounting a strong challenge in future elections.
“As for me, I have secured my candidacy to be on the ballot again in 2027 for the same seat in Kogi Central. I know my party is well grounded, and my structure, as well as structures around the country, are all up and doing,” she stated.
Senator Natasha urged Nigerians not to succumb to fears of a one-party system, encouraging political parties, including newly registered ones, to strengthen their internal structures and remain committed to democratic principles.
While acknowledging that politics in Nigeria is often fiercely contested, she warned against the use of violence, intimidation and state institutions as tools of political control.
“Politics should be void of violence, intimidation, harassment and the use of force, whether it is state force or the judiciary or whatever. It shouldn’t be so. The people should be allowed to elect who they believe is best to represent them,” she added.
The PDP governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, also addressed the rally, accusing the incumbent governor of relying heavily on President Bola Tinubu’s influence to secure re-election rather than campaigning on his administration’s achievements.
Oluyede urged the President to allow the electorate to freely determine the outcome of the election without interference.
“The governor is hanging on to the President to be able to win this election instead of the other way around,” he said.
“My message to the President is always the same thing. You don’t need this guy; the guy needs you, that’s why he’s running to you.”
He further argued that supporting an unpopular administration could have political consequences for the President, calling for an open and transparent electoral process.
The rally attracted several prominent PDP leaders and stakeholders, including the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe; the party’s 2022 governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Bisi Kolawole; former Senator Duro Fasuyi; former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and former Acting Governor, Tunji Odeyemi; the PDP National Women Leader, Professor Adenike Ogunseye; and former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole.
The event formed part of the PDP’s intensified campaign efforts ahead of the June 20 governorship election, which is expected to be keenly contested between the major political parties in the state.
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