₦airaland Forum

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RIVERS State governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party to assassinate the governorship candidate of the Rivers All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Amaechi, who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, also said that he had lost confidence in the Nigerian Police, alleging that the police was working in favour of the PDP.

The governor specifically said that the 2015 election in the state was between the APC and the police, adding that the state police command had arrested some of his party members and threatening to arrest over 400 more members.

He alleged that the police withdrew their operatives attached to some members of the APC while allowing those attached to PDP candidates and members to remain intact.

He said, “You will recall that on February 17, 2015, there was an attempt on the life of the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, when he went for a campaign rally in Okrika.

“From reliable intelligence available to the APC, it is believed by the PDP that assassinating Dr. Dakuku Peterside is the last resort and only way of stopping the victory of the APC in the forthcoming elections based on the popularity and acceptability of the APC candidate amongst Rivers voters.

“The fears of the campaign organisation are however heightened by the recent act of withdrawal of police security from top APC chieftains in the state, including (incredulously) that of her gubernatorial candidate, Dakuku Adol Peterside.

“This fear is fuelled by the unanswered question as to whether this withdrawal of security personnel is linked to the aforesaid story of plans to assassinate Dr. Peterside.

“Those hired for this assassination attempt are still roaming free in Port Harcourt, housed and catered for by Barrister Nyesom Wike, the PDP governorship candidate in Iwaikwowo Hotel, off Oroekpo Road, owned by one Promise Onuoha, Nyesom Wike’s cousin.

“Unfortunately the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State has lend to a great escalation of these acts of killings, unlawful arrests and detention on frivolous and unsubstantiated reasons as well as constant and un-abating harassment using the very same police meant to protect all sides.

“Specifically DCP John Amadi, DC Operations and Promise Nwosu, head of SARS are in the forefront of this.”

He described as “most ridiculous” the withdrawal of police security for top APC members, including that of Peterside.

“Where then we may ask lies our hope and the hope of the common man and all seekers of justice and protection if the police in Rivers State can so blatantly and unashamedly take sides in the politics of the state?” the governor asked.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, declined comment on those arrested by the police, saying however that they had since been charged to court on a one-count charge of unlawful possession of arms.

Mohammad explained that since the matter was already in court, it would amount to contempt of court for him to speak on it.

“The people he (Amaechi) is talking about have already been arraigned before the Federal High Court 1, Port Harcourt, for a count charge of unlawful possession of firearms and it would amount to contempt of court for me to speak on a matter before a court of law,” he said.

On Amaechi’s allegation that more APC members were facing threat of arrest, Mohammad said, “The command views the statement that over 400 suspects are in our custody as exaggeration. This is not true.”