In the wake of President Muhammadu Buhari’s condemnation of the violence that trailed the recent legislative elections rerun in Rivers State and its attendant political crisis, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pointed accusing fingers at the State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while urging the president to deal decisively with those behind the violence.
The position of the state chapter was conveyed in a statement signed by the chairman, Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.
While commending the president for the statement condemning the politically-motivated crisis in the state, the party said it was clear that the Peoples Democratic Party and Wike were behind the atrocities.
The statement reads, “We received with happiness the recent statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari that the murderous rerun election in Rivers State was shameful, unfortunate and barbaric. We agree with Mr. President that more Nigerians have been killed in Rivers than any other state in the country.
“What we are asking is, what are the steps to be taken by the Federal Government to secure the State and her people from the PDP/WIKE gang of killers? That Governor Wike has made Rivers State a killer field should give all Nigerians concern because we don’t know who will be the next victim as the Army, Police, Youth Corps members and hapless Rivers residents are not spared.
“Sadly, the threats by Governor Wike to murder INEC officials and anybody that would stand in his way during the rerun elections were fully implemented as a Corps member, Samuel Okonta, INEC official, Army and Police personnel were all murdered in cold blood. This man has gone further to threaten the lives of President Buhari, the Army Chief of Staff and his predecessor governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.”
“To cap it all, he sent his Chief of Staff, Samuel Wite, to assassinate the DG of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Rivers APC State Chairman, Dr. Ikanya; and APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Hon Asita O. Asita. The trio would have been dead if not for the grace of God and the gallantry of the DSS personnel that came to their rescue.”
“Do we continue to tolerate this man and applaud him for turning Rivers State into the hotbed of violence? Do we wait until the life of our President or Amaechi is touched before we do something to call this man to order?
“As Wike continue to play politics with the lives of Rivers State people, let us state that, those who travel on the lane of falsehood, subterfuge and deceit will definitely get to their destination which is destruction. The blood of all those killed for the so called PDP/Wike’s victory will one day speak.”
“In the same vein, we wish to further state that it is not acceptable if all those caught perpetuating evil and electoral malpractice, particularly Wike’s aides, are not duly prosecuted. If this is not done it may be difficult for us to participate in any election in Rivers State as we can’t continue to endanger the lives of our people because of election.”