Opobo crisis: Rivers PDP calls for  an investigation

Opobo crisis: Rivers PDP calls for  an investigation

*  Urges security agencies to invite Tonye Cole, Dakuku Peterside for questioning;

*  Blames blood suckers and desperadoes for the mayhem in Opobo;

* Says we will resist attempts to intimidate Rivers people;

* As Opobo Council Chairman receives death threats

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged Security agencies in the State to investigate circumstances that led to some disturbances in Opobo kingdom.

It has also asked for the arrest and detention of all who in the name of politics invaded a peaceful kingdom of noble and civilized people, and systematically unleashed terror on defenseless citizens.

Spokesman of the Rivers PDP Campaign Council, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke said it is proper for an investigation to be conducted to establish the root cause of the crisis and prevent further occurrences in the future.

The PDP said it is regrettable that innocent people were put in harm’s way by the action of persons who have no regard for due processes and the rule of law.

“We regret that innocent and defenseless youths were shot at and injured by a group of deviants sponsored by the leadership of the APC who purportedly converged for a rally in Opobo.

“These people with no hearts who believe in sacrificing the blood of the innocent; who have no foothold anywhere in our dear state; and who are desperate to have power; set about destroying property, including houses and cars, belonging to law abiding citizens.

“We catergorically condemn this atrocious act and call on State Security agencies to investigate circumstances which resulted in the trouble that broke out in Opobo Town.

“Opobo people are decent, orderly, creative and exposed. It is inconceivable that some evil-minded persons will bring calamity on these peaceful people whose only crime is the astute and unshakeable support they are lending to one of their own who is poised to be governor.

“We believe that what happened in Opobo is part of a carefully laid out plan by blood suckers and desperadoes that are on a deadly mission in the name of the opposition to cause trouble in a peaceful State.

“We have heard that Dakuku Peterside, a Warisenibo from Opobo Kingdom and Arc. Tonye Cole, the gubernatorial candidate of the APC supervised the mayhem which occurred in order to justify their call for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

“We have also secured credible information, including pictures of what actually transpired. We have learnt that most of those who set out to kill and maim were not Opobo people.

“Accordingly, we urge the Police and other relevant security institutions to bring in Arc.Tonye Cole and Dakuku Peterside for questioning to explain their role in the fracas that has left many innocent people in the town wounded.

“Nobody is above the law. Their invitation would prove that the law is no respecter of persons.

“This time, these persons who parade as pastors and men of God that shamelessly took a gang of blood thirsty persons to Opobo to kill and maim in an effort to strike fear and terror in a peaceful community.have gone too far.

“They do not deserve in a democratic society to be treated with kid gloves. No society can tolerate this kind of behaviour.

“This explains why Americans are openly investigating their former President, Mr. Donald Trump for instigating the invasion of the Capitol.

“We expect our nation’s security apparatus to swing into action at once in order to unravel those who are behind the cold-blooded attempt to massacre innocent people in Rivers State.

“Finally, Rivers State has witnessed tremendous growth and development, under the watch of Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP. The nation, including President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged this fact.

“Those who are seeking to promote violence are envious of the great strides recorded by the government of Governor Nyesom Wike. They are people who hate the good people of Rivers State.

“While we sympathize with all who were injured, we will resist any attempt by groups or group of persons to intimidate Rivers people as we approach the 2023 General Elections.

“We add that as a political party, we are not responsible for any infractions. Given the score card of the PDP, we are not the ones who have a death wish. All we are doing is to sell Siminalayi Fubara and other candidates to the people.

“Those who have axes to grind against Order 21 and Order 22 should exploit the law and the services of the judiciary instead of instigating violence and threats to human lives.

Reports coming from the ancient kingdom founded by King Jaja does not suggest lives were lost.

So far, PDP members  are claiming, as controvery over the incident heightens, that their homes and businesses were targeted.

While the APC alleges that the PDP was behind what happened, the PDP insists it was the APC which unleashed the mayhem.

“Such a thing has never happened on Opobo soil”, a concerned daughter of Opbo revealed to the Port Harcourt Telegraph, “It should never have happened. We are shocked that Dakuku Peterside, a bona-fide son of Opobo could have allowed this to take place.”

There is however no indication that the rally ever held, especially after the altercations which took place.

A security detail who accompanied one of the”big men” to the island nation is quoted as asking in the heat of the confusion which broke out what they were doing in Opobo after he learnt appropriate ground work was not done to ensure that things sail smoothly.

In the meantime, there are attempts by some persons outside the Opobo to escalate trouble in Rivers State.

Some outside the Opobo kingdom are calling for the head of the Opobo Local Government cjairman, claiming that he allegedly attacked a Kalabari son.

In a post on Facebook, one Hon. Carl Corterel asked the people of Kalabari to kill the Council Chairman.

Here is the post that he made on the social media urging Kalabaris to exterminate Enyada Cooley Gam:

Analysts seem to think that there may be attempts by some persons at large to stir disturbances on Kalabari soil when the PDP Campaign train pulls up at Degema.

It is not yet clear if the police is aware of the threat issued by Carl on Facebook.