By Inyali Peter
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC and governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 general election in Cross River State Mr. Odey Ochicha has condemned in strong terms the arrest and detention of a young graduate, Mr. Charles Ewa for carrying 'I Need a Job' placard.
Ochicha who was responding to the news of the arrest of Ewa for showing Governor Ben Ayade placard with the inscription 'I Need a Job' warned the governor against unnecessary show of force, abuse of power, harassment and intimidation of innocent Cross Riverians.
The APC stalwart pointed out that it was unreasonable for the government to use police to torment an innocent citizen who was already frustrated by the inability of the government to provide him with a job.
He called on the Inspector General of Police to urgently set up a panel of inquiry to look into the issue and punish the police officers who have allowed themselves to be used as agent of vendetta by politicians.
According to him, "I received the arrest of a certain Charles Ewa with great shock. The action of the governor to have ordered his arrest is reckless and tyrannical in a democratic setting that we need to condemn in totally.
"I have always supported Martin Luther's advocacy that "The best way to respect a stupid order is to disobey it". This is exactly what the police who arrested and have been detaining this man for the past three days without trial would have
done.
"I called on the Commissioner of Police to unconditionally order the release of that innocent boy. The Inspector of General of Police should urgently set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the case and bring the erring officers who have become partisan to book".
He maintained that the detained youth has not committed any crime against the law of the land to have warranted such assault from a government that should protect the life and rights of citizens.
"Just few months ago we all saw how the number two man in the country, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo invited a lady with 'I Need a Job' placard to the villa for discussion. What is the offence he has committed to try to draw the attention of his governor to his predicament?
"This is unprofessional in the part of the police and has shown that the Nigeria Police Force, Cross River state command is yet to know the ethics of the force. It is not only gibberish, but senseless to accuse an unemployed graduate who is obviously seeking the attention of government for attempted assassination like I was told the police said".
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