The Presidential Candidate Of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Tuesday called for the immediate release of the young social media influencer, Nnamdi Chude, who is being detained by Police.
Obi said that Chude’s case should be treated compassionately bearing in mind his fundamental right to freedom of expression.
The Police in Anambra State had on Saturday arrested him after tweeting against Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
Chude, a fervent supporter of the Labour Party tweeted on Saturday, alleging that Soludo’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was involved in the rigging of the House of Assembly election.
He insisted that Soludo was instrumental to the rigging, and that some thugs carted away ballot boxes. He described such action as dragging Anambra back to the era of former governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
The Former Anambra State Governor also admonished public servants against arbitrary and unrestrained use of authority.
According to Obi, “Yesterday my attention was drawn to the arrest of a social media influencer, Mr. Nnamdi Chude. In my usual inquiry, I wanted to know the offense of the young man only to be told that it was because he tweeted against the people in government”
“I believe people in government know very well that there is the right to freedom of expression for every individual in our country, And they should also not be oblivious to the fact that they as public servants are bound by rule of law, and the symbol of rule of law is that rules must always be respected for the sake of our society”
“I am therefore appealing to all concerned to please treat the issue compassionately to release the young man in question”
“It’s also necessary for me to admonish that people should know that when you occupy public office, there are several consequences of occupying that office. People will have their thoughts on you. You have the right to reply but not for you to use your office arbitrarily or in unrestrained use of authority.”