Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday demanded the immediate release of the Akwa Ibom State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in next month’s election, John James Udoedehe who is in police custody.

Senior lawyers also faulted the arrest of Udoedehe who they said was a victim of attack by supporters of the ruling party in the state while some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have volunteer to storm Abuja on Monday to defend him against the treason charges.

Back in Uyo, the state Chairman of the party, Chief Aniekan Akpan raised an alarm over alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government to instigate his arrest and the deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Ime Umanah

An Abuja Federal High Court had on Friday last week ordered the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory to be kept in police custody over a four-count charge of treason.

The ACN candidate was alleged to have conspired with others now at large to attack the convoy of Governor Godswill Akpabio in parts of the state last week.

Tinubu spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital yesterday when the ACN presidential campaign train visited the state.

Tinubu stated that the arrest of opponents by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government on the eve of the elections is not consistent with the rule of law.

He urged all youths in the country to resist tyranny in any guise, adding “you cannot achieve freedom and liberty free of charge.

“Intimidation and persecution of political opponents is unacceptable and must not be condoned,” he added.

His words: “This government is not a government of the people by the people and for the people. It is a government of the greedy by the greedy and for the greedy. It is a government that believes it can win election through foul means. It is a government that does not care about the welfare of the officers and men of the Nigeria police force. It is a people deceiving government.”

“Kidnapping was unknown in the country in those days but now it has become commonplace. Up till now there has not been any clue to bring to book all politically motivated killings in Nigeria in the last 12years. Army robbers now hold the country by the jugular.

“There is no difference between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan, as both of them are stubborn. The PDP government has in the last 12 years promised uninterrupted power supply but to no avail. This has grounded all commercial activities in the country.

“In the last 12years also all our children have become WAEC failures, but their children are in the best schools abroad. Now, Nigerian children seek admission in Togo and Benin Republic.”

The ex-governor, who referred to the PDP as “Poverty Development Party”, added that tears, anguish and blood have trailed PDP campaign rallies in the country.

He told the large crowd of party members, supporters and faithful to gird their loins for the battle to emancipate Kwarans.

“The battle ahead is that of freedom and it can only be done not by violence but by voting for the right party at next month’s polls. It is a fight to free self from poverty. Therefore, I urge you all to guard your votes jealously by making sure that this thieving government is voted out of office.

Also speaking, the ACN Presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu urged Kwarans to use brooms to sweep away the thieving government of PDP.

The ACN chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, officially presented Mohammed Dele Belgore as the governorship candidate of the party in the state.

While reacting to the arrest of the ACN candidate, Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), said the ACN candidate couldn’t be sued for treason.

Sagay pointed out that treason is an offence against the state, particularly attempts to overthrow the government through an unconditional means noting that what happened in Akwa Ibom was violence which at best is arson.

“The IGP is showing Nigerians that he is partisan. It is a political charge aimed at keeping the ACN candidate in custody so that the governor and the ruling PDP can have a field day during the election”.

Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, also said that there was no element of treason in the alleged charge and argued that it was a case of election violence which was provided under the Electoral Act.

According to Falana, even if the offence as alleged by the police has to do with illegal attempt to remove the government of Akwa Ibom, the alleged offence can’t be tried by the Federal Territory High Court.

In a statement issued yesterday by Chief Akpan, the party Chairman said the planned arrest of the party officials was part of efforts by the PDP in the state to stop the state-wide campaign of the ACN and deny the party’s candidates the opportunity of reaching out to the electorate before the elections.

“We have intelligence report that the PDP’s next move is to implicate Dr. Umanah and me in political violence and get us behind bars between now and the elections,” Akpan said.