TVC E, POLITICS – The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged its members to remain steadfast in their support.
The Party in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by its Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described the March 19 legislative rerun in the state as violence-ridden and a sham.
It expressed surprise about the hurried release by security agencies of the aides to Governor Nyesom Wike, who were arrested for electoral malpractices and violence during the State and National Assembly rerun polls.
The party also expressed displeasure at the quick release of Wike’s aides, who were arrested on the March 20 alleged attempt to assassinate the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Ikanya and APC’s deputy governorship candidate in Rivers in the 2015 election, Asita Honourable.
It said: “We are shocked and left speechless by the speed with which the Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG), Mr. Kenneth Kobani; Wike’s Special Assistant on Special Projects, Mr. Cyril Dum Wite and the governor’s Chief of Staff, Emeka Woke, were released and allowed to go home, despite the overwhelming evidence against them.
“On March 20, gunmen operating in two jeeps belonging to Woke, opened fire on a vehicle conveying Peterside, Ikanya and Asita, who were on their way from the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
“Our hopes were initially raised when Wike’s implicated aides were arrested for questioning; we thought that justice would be made to take its course. We are disappointed that these men have been hastily released and left off the hook, instead of being vigorously investigated and charged before courts of competent jurisdiction. This is sad and unfortunate.”
Rivers APC urged security agencies in the state to conduct their activities with impartiality and ensure that they are not bought by Governor Nyesom Wike, in his alleged “desperation to completely conquer and possess the state by hook or crook”.
The party advised its members and supporters not to be demoralised by the turn of events, but to keep hope alive.
It assured that the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would bring about the promised change in all ramifications.
