Politics

Rivers APC Ward Congress: Attack on APC Secretariat Police Arrests Hoodlums

…Ward congress in progress- Amaechi… No ward congress…Senator Abe

Despite the initial protests and violence at the Rivers State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday due to the delay in the issuance of forms for the party faithfuls, the party as gone ahead with the ward congress.

Former Governor and Transport Minister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who is also the Leader of the party said contrary to the allegation that he and other party leaders hijacked the party materials for the ward congress, there are no materials needed because the party agreed that option A4 model would be adopted.

Under option A4, party faithfuls are expected to queue behind preferred candidates who they want to be their leaders at ward levels and be physically counted by party officials from the national secretariat.

He also denied that the party has been issued an injunction to stop the state congress of the party. “We have not received any injunction. Let them show us the copies of the so-called injunction. I am not aware and the party executive has not informed me of any. And if there were as alleged, I thought that before an injunction you must put the other party on notice.” Amaechi said

COURT INJUNCTION

Amaechi accused those who had all along insisted that they wanted internal democracy in the party that are now afraid to test their popularity in a transparent Option A4 model.

Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South East has said the congress billed for today had been hijacked by the leadership of the party as critical stakeholders of the party had been shut out in the process. He called on the national leadership to intervene and save the party from self inflicted crisis by those who don’t want the people to freely elect their leaders.

Also speaking on the violence at the APC Secretariat yesterday an APC Chieftain Mr. Mfata Mfata said many available video evidence on the internet have so far showed that those who vandalized APC secretariat were hired thugs by the opposition to destabilize the party but have failed because the party will come out stronger and the congress will go ahead as planned.

It is interesting to note that APC state secretariat is located directly opposite the Old GRA Police station in Port Harcourt.

In the same vein, reacting to condolences issued by the State Government on alleged deaths arising from the fracas at APC secretariat, Dr Dakuku Peterside; the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency, NIMASA, dismissed the condolence as self serving as there were no deaths recorded at the party secretariat.

However, one person had died from an injury sustained when a tree fell on the Toyota Hilux owned by Mr Emeka Beke, State Secretary of APC was inside.

Emeka Beke narrowly escaped death. The incident happened along the Forces Avenue near Polo Club Old GRA Club Port Harcourt on Thursday Morning during a heavy rainfall. He and others were rushed to the nearby Braithwaite Memorial Hospital where is receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, the Police Command has arrested some hoodlums who vandalized the Rivers Secretariat of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Port Harcourt yesterday, Friday, during protest over the delay in the issuance of forms for party ward congress.

The Rivers Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni DSP who confirmed the arrests said investigation was on.

It was also learnt that Mr. Chidi Wihioka, a member representing Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency was arrested by the Police on his way to the party Secretariat was released after spending about four hours with the Police.