(Press Statement)The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) totally condemn the present resort to physical violence against the judiciary and officials of court in Rivers State by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The extension of violence to the judiciary in Rivers State by the PDP and their agents started to assume a dangerous dimension after Justice Wali of the Ahoada High Court
granted an injunction on December 16, restraining the member representing Ogu/Bolo in the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), Hon. Evans Bipi from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. A few hours later, the court building was
bombed by suspected PDP members/agents.
On the night of Sunday January 5, elements suspected to be members of the PDP bombed an Ahoada High Court building. Less than a week earlier, the PDP had widely circulated a press release signed by the PDP Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, claiming that the governor of Rivers
State was trying to use the same Ahoada High Court to protect the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief (Hon.) Chidi Lloyd – a claim that is vexatious, malicious and patent falsehood.
As this press release is being published, the Ahoada High Court complex is cordoned off by the police because of two objects confirmed by the police to be bombs planted in the premises. The truth is that these bombs have been planted by the PDP, Evans Bipi and their agents to prevent the sitting of the Ahoada High Court for the hearing of arguments on interlocutory injunction barring Evans Bipi from perpetually parading himself as Speaker of the State Assembly. Rather than file his papers and argue his position in court, Evans Bipi and his PDP cohorts resorted to intimidate and prevent the court from sitting through planting of bombs at the court premises.
Again, it would be recalled that just yesterday, six individuals reportedly linked to Hon. Evans Bipi and Senator George Sekibo were arrested on their way to Ogu/Bolo with seven AK-47 assault weapons by men of the JTF. This has confirmed our worst fears that the PDP have resorted to the use of terrorism as official party policy. We have every reason to strongly believe that the arrested well-armed men are part of the ruthless snipers PDP are alleged to have trained for use against political opponents.
It would be recalled that despite openly announcing the verdict that Justice Laminkara would give over the Obio/Akpor Council case many weeks before the verdict was handed down, the APC did not resort to violence against the person of Justice Laminkara, her court and any
member or institution of the judiciary in Rivers State before, during and after the verdict was given.
We are deeply surprised that despite the obvious perpetration of these dastardly acts of violence against the judiciary by suspected members of the GDI and PDP, the Rivers State Police Command and other security agencies in the state are yet to make arrests and it appears that they are not in any hurry to investigate this spate of bombings and attacks.
We appeal to the relevant authorities to intervene and compel responsible security agencies to undertake their constitutional responsibilities of securing lives and properties of citizens and
residents of Rivers State by promptly arresting, investigating and prosecuting all those involved in the current spate of violence across Rivers State. This should be done as quickly as possible to avert a situation whereby individuals and groups would resort to self help.
God bless Rivers State! God bless Nigeria!!
Chief Andy Nweye
Interim Publicity Secretary
