The Coalition of United Political Parties on Monday called an emergency meeting in Abuja to discuss how to effect the release of Middle Belt Youth Vanguard president Godwin Meliga.
The activist was said to have been a vocal voice in condemning plans to arrest Nigerian Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele for terrorist financing.
MBYV publicity secretary Abbah Owoicho, who confirmed the arrest to reporters, said Meliga’s wife had been crying because her husband was taking routine medicines that she took to keep fit.
Meliga was said to have been arrested by the Department of State Services for exposing an alleged plan to frame Emefiele for alleged links to terrorist financing.
CUPP said the meeting would also be used to demand the dismissal of DSS Director General Yusuf Bichi in view of his recent activities undermining the directive of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.).
The CUPP in a statement by the Secretary of its Steering Committee, Peter Ameh, expressed concern about the alleged repeated involvement of the DSS DG in activities that threatened the very hope of a credible election and the alleged plot to force the President of the National Electoral Commission Independent. , Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, out of office.
Other issues, according to Ameh, linked to it were the plans to stop the currency redesignation and the cash withdrawal limit.
CUPP also expressed concern about the attack and assault on opposition candidates, especially the arrest of Kano New Nigeria People’s Party gubernatorial candidate Abba Yusuf on the orders of DG’s wife Aisha.
The CUPP said: “The recent aggressive and unwarranted behavior of DSS agents is becoming a major source of concern. Over the weeks, DSS operatives have deviated from their mandate and have decided to hunt down people who are fulfilling their constitutionally recognized duties.
“First there was the plot to fire the president of the INEC and the governor of the CBN. Now, we read in the news that Aisha Bichi, the wife of DSS Director General Yusuf Bichi, ordered the arrest of NNPP Kano gubernatorial candidate Abba Yusuf and barred him from boarding a Max Air flight. from Kano to Abuja on Sunday night.
“These acts are signs that the DSS could be one of the problems for a successful election in 2023, hence the need for opposition leaders to come together and make far-reaching decisions. The meeting will be attended by all members of the opposition alliance at the CUPP headquarters.
