The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State is disturbed about the arrest of the former speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Thomas Sule, alongside 14 other ex-lawmakers by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N2.5 billion money laundering and abuse of office.

All those involved were members of the PDP.

Their arrest followed petitions submitted by concerned citizens of Plateau State who accused the former legislators of violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, thereby breaching public procurement processes.

However, the PDP in the state believes that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is using the EFCC against the ex-lawmakers, but called for calm among members.

According to a statement by the PDP Publicity Secretary in Plateau, Jonathan Amande, the arrest was allegedly orchestrated by some leaders of the APC in the state for political gain.

Amande said, “These party leaders are wielding anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a tool to target and intimidate members of the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

“As a party, we condemn in the strongest terms the parading of our members like common thieves, an action we consider purely politically motivated and aimed at undermining the PDP administration and the party’s influence in the state.

“This use of the EFCC as a political witch-hunt designed to stifle dissent and suppress opposition voices in the country will do more harm than good, especially since the PDP administration has focused on moving Plateau State forward rather than hunting the last APC administration in the state, despite the numerous messes discovered under their eight years of tenure.

“We urge our members to remain steadfast and not to be distracted or heartbroken by these antics from the APC. The party remains resilient in the face of these trials of faith.

“The PDP reaffirms its commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law while encouraging citizens to remain vigilant against any attempts to manipulate state institutions for partisan purposes.”

Reiterating the PDP’s call for transparency and accountability in governance, he said the misuse of institutions like the EFCC threatens the democratic process and the fundamental human rights of citizens, adding that the PDP remains committed to opposing any actions that undermine the tenets of democracy in Nigeria.

However, the APC in the state is still putting its house in order, possibly to react if necessary.