The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress said its attention has been drawn to a press statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State signed by Jerry Needam on behalf of the PDP State Chairman, Felix Obuah strenuously but unjustifiably trying to convey the impression that APC sent thugs to invade Government House, Port Harcourt under the protection of a certain Assistant Commissioner of Police.
The APC in a statement signed by its spokeman, Chris Finebone said the “press release is mendacious and the height of abuse of free speech by a political party. There have been very ludicrous statements by the PDP over the years but this particular statement exposes Rivers State Chapter of PDP as a group totally bereft of any dint of moral endowment.”
The statement reads: “While not speaking for the Rivers State Police Command, we believe that the official press statement by the Command lucidly captures the true position of what transpired when the police clearly stated that the APC behaved more maturely by hearkening to the advice of the Police regarding their original intention to match to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“The APC believes that the poisoned arrows the PDP is now shooting at the Nigeria Police are misplaced, undeserved, unnecessary and borne out of debilitating frustration having danced naked in the ever dicey arena of the general public.
“A careful reflection in the mirror by Felix Obuah, Nyesom Wike and his ragtag PDP band will remind them a thing or two. However, it is important to remind the PDP that APC, as a party, has no special dealings with any police officer the way Nyesom Wike as Minister for Education used the then R/S Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu to harass, harangue and assault the then Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi during the better-forgotten years of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“From a distance, the APC can justifiably conclude that what the PDP in Rivers State is doing today is cheap pedestrian blackmail against the Nigeria Police and the APC. Gov Wike and his PDP must know that the train has long left the station. We wish he understands. Indeed what Gov. Wike and the PDP are suffering from at the moment is the inescapable but unfounded fear of ones shadows.
“The APC wishes to call on the Nigeria Police to ignore the distraction by the confused PDP buccaneers in Rivers State. The APC believes that Gov. Nyesom Wike and the PDP know that the APC does not play nor does it, as a party, intend to indulge in the kind of ignoble and despicable activities the governor, as Minister of Education under former President Goodluck Jonathan, engaged in with the former Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu especially to harass, harangue and assault the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi during the better-forgotten years of the Jonathan administration.
“In line with the noble political disposition of President Muahmmadu Buhari, the APC has no special relationship with the Nigeria Police beyond that of a political party, like any other, and the Police. The PDP in Rivers State is simply being haunted by its past.
“The APC further calls on the Police and other security agencies to promptly arrest Felix Obuah and Jerry Needam to assist them unravel the several members of PDP they claim were shot by the Police as this is the only way to stem the unguarded blackmail by the PDP in Rivers State against the Police, the other security agencies and the Federal Government. At least, he who asserts must prove.
