By Nwaorgu Faustinus
The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, said that it has been brought to its attention that the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike has given the assurance that he would do everything possible to cause the release of PDP members arrested for murder before, during and after the 2015 elections in the State.
The Governor, according to press a statement signed by the Rivers State APC Chairman, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya JP made the pledge today in Port Harcourt during a meeting between him and women of Usokun-Degema in Degema Local Government Area. He assured that he will ensure that the Police and other security agencies in the State release every member of the PDP arrested for crimes before the forthcoming National and State Assembly rerun elections scheduled for March 19.
The statement reads: “The Usokun-Degema PDP Women whose meeting with Gov. Wike was facilitated by the Deputy Governor, Dr. [Mrs] Ipalibo Banigo, who hails from the neighbouring Obuama community, Farah Dagogo, a notorious ex-militant whose election as member representing Degema Constituency in Rivers State House of Assembly was nullified by the concurrent Elections Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Damiete Miller the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation and Engr. Okpete Ovai, a daughter of Degema and a former Works Commissioner who was only yesterday sworn-in by Wike as a member of the Rivers State Road Maintenance Agency, met Wike to facilitate the release of one Asweivi Ogidi [alias Olembe] who shot and killed an APC youth, Anthony Brown, in Usokun-Degema community on the day of the last LG elections on May 23, 2015 and his brother, Udemisoma Ogidi who was arrested by the Police last Saturday following a report of threat to kill another community youth, Usokun-Ovai Clever Don and conspiracy in the murder of the late Anthony Brown.
“The APC notes that in a manner reminiscent of the premature celebrations of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the Rivers State Governorship Elections Petition before the apex court handed down its judgment, members of the PDP are already celebrating the release of the twosome who are notorious killers.
“As a mark of gratitude to the Governor, the women have also been mobilised by the PDP oligarchs in Degema LGA and the local community to embark on a simulated protest march to Government House, Port Harcourt tomorrow or the day after.
“Insider sources in the community, which is now notorious for incessant gunfire and other criminal activities, indicate that Sobomabo Jackrich [alias Egberi Papa], the Caretaker Chairman of Asari-Toru LG whose supporters were arrested recently in course of the security raid on his palatial residence in Usokun-Degema, which he bought from Chief Monima Lawson, have been released. Jackrich has further assured the party’s youths and women in the community that Gov. Wike is totally committed to ensuring that everyone arrested across the State for killing members of the opposition APC in the time past or during the forthcoming rerun polls will be released.
“The Rivers State Chapter of APC has no option in the prevailing circumstance than to invite the Police and other security agencies to stick to their constitutional mandate by resisting whatever manipulation and pressure by the Governor and his foot soldiers to free or embolden criminals who constitute grave danger to the peace, security of lives and property and continued development of Degema LGA and the State. To the rivers APC, this is the time to protect the people and State from all forms of crimes and insecurity.”
