Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has described the Federal Government’s clampdown on the party’s chieftain and founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, as a “witch-hunt”.
Daar Communications is the parent company of Africa Independent Television (AIT).
Dokpesi has been quizzed severally in 2019 by officials of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Tuesday backed by armed policemen, demolished some structures within AIT’s premises at Padoma Hill, Asokoro, Abuja over alleged land encroachment.
In a statement on Friday, PDP condemned the demolition saying: “Edo PDP condemns in very strong terms the demolition of sections of DAAR Communications building by officials of the FCT and the recent illegal detention of Chief Raymond Dokpesi at the international Airport by Nigeria Immigration services (NIS) as he returned from an overseas medical trip.
“The latest infringement on his fundamental human rights and the demolition of the buildings inside the DAAR communications compound is a clear sign of the emergence of a ruthless dictatorship that is averse to the opposition, freedom of association, free speech and freedom of expression.
“Chief Raymond Dokpesi DAAR communications have been located in its present address for decades. Even when parties are in arbitration, the government has shown its desperation to hurt Chief Dokpesi and DAAR communications as it went ahead to demolish and not wait for settlement one way or the other.
“These contrived challenges are not unconnected to the independence of DAAR communications as it allows all shades of political opinion, and this obviously irritates a budding dictatorship.
“Edo PDP hereby calls on all Nigerians to resist and condemn this ugly development.”
