ACN: Amaechi Using JTF To Cow ACN Supporters In Rivers State
SAN FRANCISCO, March 28, (THEWILL) - The Abiye Sekibo campaign has accused the Joint Military Task Force (JFT) of executing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) agenda spearheaded by the incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Romiti Chibuike Amaechi.
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Governorship candidate in Rivers State alleged that the JTF stormed Lewe Community in Gokana on Sunday March 27, 2011 and whisked away “10 staunch ACN supporters” without giving reasons for their arrest.
The campaign said the whereabouts of the detained supporters has still not been communicated to the party.
A statement by the Director, Directorate of Publicity & Communications, Abiye Sekibo Campaign Organization, Jerry Needam, JP, named those detained as Baridilo Kagbara, Bariala Kubina, Sunday Daa, Bariza Manyie, Legio Myboh, and Baridura (alias Barry Duus), amongst others.
Needam further said, “As if this was not enough, the JTF also abducted 30 faithfuls of the ACN in Okrika on Sunday night and are yet to give reasons for their arrest or disclose where they have taken them to.
“But while the JTF, clearly acting out the desires of the Rivers State governor go about abducting innocent ACN members at night, the ruling PDP has a field day attacking opposition party members at will.
“After the widely reported and generally condemned attack by the Commissioner of Agriculture in the state, Mr. Emma Chindah and his thugs on the APGA governorship candidate, Sir Celestine Omehia in Ogbakiri, the ACN House of Representatives candidate for the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Barr Emma Okah has suffered the same fate at the hands of the Ogbakiri thugs.
“Barr Okah’s campaign train was attacked in the community and his campaign vehicles were destroyed, while his personal car as well as that of the ACN state legal adviser were taken away.
“The JTF in the state has not acted against these named hoodlums or prevented a re-occurrence of these ugly incidents but are demonstrating huge interest in harassing and intimidating the opposition in the state and tilting the electoral process in favour of the ruling PDP,” the campaign said.
Continuing, it added, “While we welcome the stance of the presidency and FEC against political violence, we boldly state that agencies like the JTF, if not checked and their excesses curtailed, would reduce the effort of the presidency to nothing. We, therefore call on the federal authorities to look into the cases of violence in Rivers State and call the JTF and other security agencies that act negatively to order.
“We also advise all ACN faithfuls to remain calm and fearless, and go about their lawful activities without losing sleep as the party in the state has all it takes, legitimately to stand up to any task including intimidations or harassment by hired thugs or misguided military and security agencies, bearing in mind that no amount of violence against the party and its members will stop it from comprehensively challenging the PDP and wresting the Brick House from its stranglehold.”