APC leaders cry out over detention of Benue lawmaker Jonathan Agbidyeh

The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from Katsina-Ala local government area have condemned the prolonged detention of Jonathan Agbidyeh, the member representing Katsina Ala East Constituency.

They have demanded the immediate release of the lawmaker, who has been held in custody for over seven days.

During a press conference in Makurdi, the state capital, their spokesperson, Chief Fanen Ihyongo, urged the general public to disregard what he termed as “mendacious propaganda and damaging fiction” from overzealous publishers regarding Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume’s alleged involvement in Agbidyeh’s detention.

Ihyongo described the ongoing detention of the lawmaker as constitutionally unjust, suggesting that Agbidyeh’s arrest appears to be politically motivated.

He noted that Agbidyeh was arrested on Monday, March 18, 2024, around 2 pm by the Department of State Services (DSS) and has since remained in custody.

The stakeholders stressed the need for Agbidyeh to be released to fulfill his legislative duties. They recalled a previous incident where the lawmaker was accused of involvement in crimes in Sankera, underwent trial at the high court in Makurdi, and was subsequently acquitted. Ihyongo pointed out that certified true copies of the proceedings and judgment exist as evidence that all charges against Agbidyeh were dropped.

Ihyongo stated, “We are saddened and angered by Agbidyeh’s unwarranted suffering, and we wish to inform the DSS, all security agencies, the press, and the general public that the situation facing the legislator is a set-up through a series of orchestrated attacks by his political adversaries within and outside the APC.”

He further added, “Their ulterior motive is to oust him from the State House of Assembly. It is noteworthy that this same group prevented Agbidyeh, the highest-ranking officer in the state Assembly, from assuming the position of majority leader of the House.”