Members of the opposition faction to the New PDP have continued to belittle the activities of the of the Abubakar Kawu Bare-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the Rivers State police command stormed into its new secretariat on Thurday.
This was immediately after the secretariat was declared opened by the group by by Chief of Staff to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Tony Okocha.
The Plateau State Chairman of the Tukur faction of the party, Haruna Dabin told newsmen that as far as he was concerned, there was no division in the PDP.
He said the activities of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and seven PDP ‘rebel’ Governors is “irresponsible and an act of indiscipline by some political characters”.
While the Rivers State Chairman of the Bamanga Tukur-led faction of the PDP, Felix Obuah, said such act was a display of lawlessness by the Baraje-led faction.
The police team which was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Sam Ogoala sealed off the offices claiming it was an order from above.
The secretariat which is located directly opposite the Old GRA Divisional Police Station along William Jumbo Street, not far from the Government House, Port Harcourt was the campaign headquarters used by Amaechi for the 2011 general elections.
While Okocha addressed a press briefing, he had disclosed that the new office which was renamed ‘Unity House” for its new purpose was converted based on the “directive” from the national leadership of the New PDP.
Okocha also disclosed that the executive members of the new party in the state would begin mobilisation immediately.
“The New PDP is a national response to the impunity, recklessness and dictatorial tendencies typical of the former leadership of our party. I therefore urge the party executive in the state to immediately commence the mobilisation of party men and women to deliver the party from the stranglehold of tyrants.
“I commend the Governors of Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kwara, Niger, our indefatigable Governor of Rivers State and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and other adherents for this uncommon display of courage.
“They are indeed heroes of democracy. On Abubakar Kawu-Baraje-led national leadership of the PDP we stand,” he added.
“In strict obedience to the directive of the national leadership of the New PDP, I hereby open the office of the Rivers State chapter.
“As I open this new secretariat of our great party, the PDP, I hope that this will usher in fresh air and democratic renewal in our state and nation,” Okocha said.
But ironically, as Okocha officially opened the secretariat, the police team rushed in to close it officially.
Ogoala directed his men to lower the hoisted party flag noting that the Nigeria Police Force has vowed to disallow “any act of illegality in the state” , adding that the police would stop anybody or group of persons who attempt to hoist party flags anywhere in the state in total disregard to the rule of law.
He also order for re-enforcement of more armed policemen in case there was any physical resistance but Okocha and his party members simply and peacefully walked out of the secretariat.
“What we are doing is to stop any act of illegality in the state. We will go to any length to deal with anybody who attempts to hoist flag in the state. We will not condone such act,” Ogoala told reporters in a brief.
Dabin also stated, “The so called grievances are personal matters that do not amount to anything that can make these Governors and the former Vice President walk out of the party convention.”
However, Dabin stressed that there are laid down procedures for expressing grievances within the PDP, adding that the aggrieved members had not table any matter at the ward, local government or state level of the party as grievances against the national leadership.
Obuah told reported, “This is a complete negation and disrespect to the rule of law. I don’t know why the Governor should decide to do that today (Thursday) when the President is visiting his home for an official assignment.
“They want to cause problem for my administration as the chairman of the party in the state,” Obuah said.
“I will challenge them in court. I have already informed the security agencies and they will make sure that there is law and order in the state.
“This is how these people go about causing problems everywhere. The court has said everybody should maintain the status quo, why then are they flouting the orders of the court?”, he queried.
He assured that all the members of the New PDP will go to jail.