Police Ban Political Rallies As Tension Rise In Rivers

SAN FRANCISCO, February 03, (THEWILL) - The Rivers State Police Command on Monday banned all political rallies in the state as the battle over the control of political power between members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to heat up the polity.

The police in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr.

Ahmad Muhammad blamed the 'increasing political tension' between supporters of the two parties for the ban.

'The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that as a result of increasing political tension in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, has banned all political rallies in the State under whatever coloration or name.

'Accordingly, all public activities involving rallies of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Save Rivers Movement (SRM), Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) and whatever other names, are hereby banned.

'Rivers State Police Command will not, I repeat, will not provide security for any group in whatever guise,' the statement added.

The APC in the state led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the PDP controlled by politicians loyal to the Presidency have been at loggerheads over the control of political power in the state ahead of the 2015 general elections.