The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has raised alarm, alleging a reign of terror on residents of the State, especially members of the PDP by officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
PDP in a statement said members of the party across the State are now living in torment as soldiers are invading homes, raiding vehicles and molesting members of the PDP.
The PDP described the action of the military as an affront on people’s dignity, adding that such open harassment and intimidation on commuters, particularly PDP members for whatever reason is crude, barbaric and uncivilized.
River State chapter of the PDP wondered why members of the party should be singled out for humiliation by the army.
“PDP members are being hunted and hounded by soldiers. This is happening simultaneously in all the major roads in the State. In all the roads leading to Ogoni, Andoni and Opobo, Ikwerre, Kalabari, Ahoada and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, passengers are being searched and any person spotted to belong to PDP is brought down, beaten and tortured”.
The party added that vehicles conveying sensitive electoral materials were being hijacked by soldiers along the aforementioned roads, accusing the faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Rotimi Amaechi of masterminding the atrocities to make real its threat to truncate the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
“This unwholesome military/APC conspiracy goes to vindicate our position that the APC-led federal government are not ready for the elections”, the PDP declared, adding that the party had also repeatedly demanded that the military should be kept out of elections in Rivers State.
While urging PDP members in the State not to be deterred by the vexatious activities of the army, the party affirmed that no amount of intimidations would diminish the resolve of Rivers people from re-electing Governor Nyesom Wike for a second term to enable him continue with the good works for the people.
The PDP re-echoed its earlier appeal on the Chief of Army Staff of Army Staff, General Officer Commanding 6 Division of Nigerian Army and the Inspector-General of Police to prevail on the security apparatuses in the State as well as INEC to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.
