By Kolawole Ojebisi
There is palpable tension in Bayelsa State following the arrest and detention of Ms Awudumu Reigneth, the director of New Media of the Pro-Wike group, New Associates in the state.
This is as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker Committee in the state expressed its displeasure over the development, while describing the move as “harassment” and ploy to muzzle political dissent.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of PDP Caretaker Committee in Bayelsa State, Derri Alasuote Wright, on Monday.
According to Wright Ms Reigneth was being held unlawfully over ‘’alleged trumped-up charges, including cyberbullying, purportedly fueled by her right to free speech and expression.’’
Wright decried what it termed as “descent to dictatorship” in the state and urged the Diri administration to borrow a leaf from former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Bola Tinubu, both of whom faced harsh criticisms on social media but tolerated dissenting views.
He said: ‘‘We wish to remind Governor Diri that we are in a democracy, and we will not allow any form of dictatorship or tyranny. As a leader whose upkeep is funded through taxpayers’ money, he is not a lord over the people of Bayelsa State but rather a servant.
“Governor Diri should learn from leaders like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Goodluck Jonathan, who have faced public scrutiny and outright abuse on social media throughout their political careers. Despite this, they have remained tolerant and accommodating even with the enormous powers at their disposal as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’
The party further raised alarm over the calculated targeting of people from Ogbia and Bayelsa East with the previous arrest of a public commentator, John Idumage, from Nembe, and the sack of 27 people from Ogbia.
Wright enjoined well-meaning Bayelsans to join the calls for the release of Ms Reigneth.
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It was gathered that Ms Reigneth, a leader in the NEW Associates, a PDP group rallying support for the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Tinubu, was over the weekend arrested on alleged charges of cyber bullying.
However, the party linked Reigneth’s ordeal to her membership of the Pro-Wike group and accused the Senator Douye Diri- led administration of using the Police to harass its members.
