Blessing Iruoma
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State, said it has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC), European Union (EU), Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the United States, Great Britain, African Union and other International groups over the alleged compromise of government institutions in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Spokesperson of APC Campaign Council in the state, Sogbeye Eli, who disclosed this on Thursday, in a statement titled: ‘Wike is Using Nigeria Police to Foster Insecurity in Rivers State’, alleged that the police were doing the biddings of the state governor.
The APC also expressed doubts on the neutrality of police in the state during the general elections, alleging that police, some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been bought over by the state government.
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Eli noted that all the act of violence made against the APC were either not investigated or taken seriously, noting that the party has lost faith in the neutrality of the police.
Eli alleged that intelligence has it that there are underground plans to arrested leaders and key members of the APC in the state on trump up charges, naming that two of its members have already been picked.
He stated that the alleged compromise of the police in Rivers State under CP Effiong Okon exposed the APC to attacks during their campaigns, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), campaigned without a single attack.
Eli disclosed that the party has petitioned some international observers for the election on their regrets, calling for an investigation.
Eli said: “The events of the last few days have further reinforced our fear and concerns for the lives of our members with the Nigeria Police now an effective tool in the hands of the enemies of democracy now running the Government of Rivers State.
“As we speak, Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi is cooling his heels in prison since the gestapo raid on his Port Harcourt residence by fiercely armed Police officers.
“A member of the House of Representatives was arrested by the Police and hounded into jail on spurious allegations within six hours!! The same Police that is unable to unravel one incident or arrest anyone out of the lot the Rivers APC reported.
“In effect, what we have as the near and present danger to democracy in Nigeria is a Rivers State where an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and four Commissioners of Police are deployed to the State for election duty and they find it very convenient strolling into Wike’s private home at Rumuepirikom to freely indulge at midnight on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
“What can a Police officer who had been so indulged less than 50 hours to D-day offer the the State in terms of security of the state or neutrality during the elections here? Nothing!!
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“Consequently, we have petitioned the European Union Elections Observer Mission in Nigeria, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the United States, Great Britain, the European Union, African Union, the International Criminal Court at the Hague and local human rights advocacy groups.
“We either rise to stop this dictator now or the State perishes at this 2023 general elections with very dire consequences for Nigeria. We have lost by far too many lives as a party in Rivers State since the 2014/2015 elections cycle to tolerate any further attacks on our lives or personal freedom.
“Therefore, the census of adversity against our people can no longer go unchallenged. We shall consider any further arrest of, or intimidating acts on members of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State between now and the elections of February 25 and March 11 an affront and resist same with all our might”, Eli added.