Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday rescued the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) Collation Officer for Port Harcourt Ward 10, Mrs. Ekwi Adebisa, at a police station.

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegedly snatched results from Mrs. Adebisa and kept her at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Other APC leaders on the rescue mission were the governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari and the Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya; among others.

Mrs. Adebisa was eventually released to the minister and other leaders of the APC.

Governor Nyesom Wike and his allies, Amaechi and other APC leaders met at the Mile One divisional police headquarters, in the presence of soldiers, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and riot policemen, who saved the situation from further degenerating.

The governor alleged that Amaechi abducted Mrs. Adebisa.

Semenitari, in a statement by her Special Assistant (Media), Bekee Anyalewechi, said: “We have received with bemusement, the attempt by the Rivers State Government and its image managers to retell the facts of the incident of Sunday, March 20, 2016, which occurred at the Mile One Police Divisional Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

“Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in company with a retinue of aides, invaded the police station, held the INEC Collation Officer for Port Harcourt Ward 10, Mrs. Ekwi Adebisa, hostage.

“It is not in our style to take issues with any tier of government, it is imperative that we state the facts, because of the need to safeguard our electoral process and strengthen the confidence of our people in their leaders.

“Mrs Ekwi Adebisa, the Port Harcourt City Ward 10 Collation Officer, for the March 19 rerun legislative election in Rivers State, was moved by force to the police station. The result she had collated was separated from her.

“While at the police station, agents of the Rivers State Government brought her under duress to write a statement that she had been abducted and made to falsify the ward result by agents of APC.

“That they forced her to the police station and kept under traumatic condition was in itself criminal, but that they had forced the result she had lawfully collated out of her custody was more criminal.

“Governor Wike had arrived the police station, accompanied by Senator George Sekibo (sacked from Rivers East), Mr. Austin Opara (former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives) and Azubuike Nmerukini, as well as other aides to the governor.

“As a leader in APC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, being in attendance at the meeting, was among those delegated to go see what the actual development was. When Mrs. Semenitari and others arrived at the police facility, they confirmed the report. .

“It was shocking to read a statement issued by Simeon Nwakudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, linking Mrs. Semenitari to facts contrary to the truth stated. As a responsible citizen and public officer, Mrs. Semenitari could not have engaged in any conduct unbecoming of her status.

“As a Nigerian and Rivers daughter (from coastal Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA of Rivers State, but married to an Okrika man, Henry Semenitari), she would always and at all times, protect and defend what promotes good governance. May God keep us all safe in these curious times that try our people’s souls.”

Wike, through Nwakaudu, claimed that Mrs. Adebisa was abducted on Saturday night by the minister of Transportation, accompanied by no fewer than 100 soldiers, alleging that the INEC official was later found at Mile One Police Station in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers governor alleged that the abduction of Mrs. Adebisa led to the suspension of collation of results in the constituency.

Wike’s Nwakaudu alleged: “She (Mrs. Adebisa) was first taken to Novotel Hotel (on Stadium Road, Port Harcourt) where Amaechi and Dakuku Peterside lodged and the results doctored.

“In the morning of Sunday, March 20, 2016, she (Mrs. Adebisa) was placed on (sic) protective custody by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Dakuku Peterside and the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Ibim Semenitari.

“PDP leaders, including Governor Wike, got wind of the fact that she (Mrs. Adebisa) had been placed on protective custody at the Mile One Police Station and he (Wike) visited the station for explanation.

“Immediately Governor Wike and the PDP leaders arrived the police station, more than 400 soldiers stormed the station, along with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the NIMASSA’s Director-General, Dakuku Peterside and directed that Mrs Ekwi Adebisa be released to them.

“Amaechi, Dakuku Peterside, Ibim Semenitari and the AIG left with the Ward Collation Officer, Mrs. Ekwi Adebisa.”

talktimi:
I expected nothing less from the satanic APC and their news agent the nation. Facts on ground cannot be changed sha, it's only gullible outsiders who will be deceived by this article but as usual they don't count in the scheme of things. I'm happy the people at mile one called Amaechi a thief to his face, I'm also happy nation admitted that Ibim was also in the demonic entourage

dtruth3:
And you call this tissue paper a National Newspaper?

The journalist that wrote this piece must be an Idi.ot, and should go back to school.

Gush! He couldn't even streamline the lies he intended sharing!


*Spits on APC, Spits on the Nation Newspaper*

PentiumPro:


God and establish your own village champion newspaper.
We know PDP wailers hate the Nation, it's nothing new.

Maxymilliano:
Inec official held hostage in police station

You go fear The Nation reportage ...

PentiumPro:
Wike must face the music of State of Emergency.

jlinkd78:
How come d Nation has reduced itself to this level of junk journalism. So many loopholes in d Apc account as d Pdp version appears a lot more convincing. I even fear for d life of dat Inec collation officer as those she feels she was working for dat whisked her away from d Police station might end up murdering her to cover any evidence of finding out d truth. Trust politicians at ur own peril.