8 October 2019
The arrest, and subsequent detention of a popular critic of Prof. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, Joseph Odok Esq by the Nigerian Police has invoked sympathy and sparked controversy.
Princewill Odidi a social entrepreneur, political commentator and philanthropist who is based in the US yesterday sympathised with Odok. Odidi who identified Odok as an ardent supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari called on the All Progressives Congress APC in Cross River to intervene in the incarceration of Odok.
According to Odidi, 'I sympathize with Joseph Odok over his arrest, detention and anticipated charges.
'He was so outspoken in support of his party, he believed in the President and even appeared on national media to support the President. If at anytime Mr Odok needs the President or his party which incidentally is the ruling party it is now. We also expect the party at state level to make a public statement and hand twist the federal authorities to intervene.
'Politics I think is all about interest, if you align with an interest, that interest should stand up for you when needed most.
'I appeal to those behind his ordeal to provide a soft landing for him', Odidi concluded.
Odok was arrested on Thursday 26th September at his residence in Abuja by two police officers of SARS unit of the Nigerian Police who according to his wife, Cecilia had been trailing him for two weeks. He is a prominent critic of Governor Benedict Ayade who was almost assassinated over two years ago. He left Calabar for Abuja where he'd been with his wife and children until his arrest.
Last week a federal judge ruled that Odok be detained for 45 days by the police.
