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Attacks On Opposition Parties: Rivers APC Seeks For Redeployment Of Police Commissioner

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By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has called for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Okon Effiong Okon, following repeated attacks on opposition political parties and their candidates in the state by suspected political thugs.

Recall that suspected political thugs had on Tuesday morning attacked the venue of the flag-off of the APC governorship campaign rally at Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro local government area of the state and allegedly kidnapped the coordinator of the party’s Campaign Council in the area.

LEADERSHIP observed that the ugly incident occured less than 24 hours after the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, was attacked near Akinima community in Ahoada-West local government area of the state.

Spokesman of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Sogbeye Eli, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, called on both the Inspector-General of Police and National Security Adviser to enforce their commitments not to allow state governors suppress opposition political parties involved in campaign activities in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

The statement reads: “The attack on the Rivers APC governorship campaign Rally grounds at Opobo this morning ahead of the arrival of Arc. Tonye Cole, Mni, the gubernatorial candidate, is yet another red flag to the boiling cauldron that the State political environment has become on the watch of Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong Okon.

“Sequel to the attack that had canopies and public address system at the venue vandalized by identified PDP hoodlums, armed men donning snatched the LGA Campaign Coordinator, Boma Brown, and sped out of the town with him.

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“However, their plot was aborted in Bori, Headquarters of Khana LGA, when the Sienna vehicle in which he was whisked away was intercepted at the Roundabout following distress calls by terrified party faithful.

“An exchange of gunfire was also recorded between a team of Policemen who claimed to have rescued Mr. Brown on the orders of the Divisional Police Officer, Bori and those attached to the State APC Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, at Kaana Petroleum filling Station in Bori when one of the Police officers opened fire that could have killed Chief Beke.

“In the circumstance, we call on both the Inspector-General of Police and National Security Adviser to enforce their commitments at the commencement of the campaign season not to allow state governors suppress or interfere with the rights of other political parties involved in campaign activities in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

“We maintain that is the only guarantee to restore sanity in States like Rivers that have been made volatile by anti-democratic forces working in active connivance with compromised Police Commissioners.”

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Ighodalo Will Fail At Appeal Court—Edo Governor

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Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, says Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 election, and the opposition party will fail in their bid to overturn his electoral victory at the appeal court.

On Wednesday, the Edo state governorship election petition tribunal affirmed Okpebholo as the elected governor of the state and dismissed Ighodalo’s petition.

Ighodalo, who rejected the tribunal’s ruling, said he respects the judiciary but noted that Edo people’s right to credible elections must not be compromised.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate also said his legal team has been instructed to challenge the judgment at the court of appeal.

However, speaking on Friday during a celebration hosted by his supporters, Okpebholo boasted that he would win at the appeal court and even at the supreme court.

The Edo governor said the opposition party is “wasting money on court cases,” adding that his “mandate cannot be hijacked”.

“The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke very clear and loud with their votes on September 21, 2024,” Fred Itua, spokesperson to the governor, said in a statement.

“Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.

“We have defeated them at the tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.

“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend the whole money they stole from the people.

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“They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”

In 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Okpebholo of the APC as the winner after he polled 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo, his closest challenger, who scored 247,274 votes.

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S’Court Verdicts: Abure Remains Chairman —LP

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The Labour Party (LP) says the judgment of the supreme court on Friday is an endorsement of Julius Abure’s leadership.

Reacting to the verdict, Obiora Ifoh, the party’s national publicity secretary, said Abure remains the LP chairman.

The apex court had nullified the judgment recognising Abure as national chairman of the party.

The court held that the issue of leadership is an internal affair of a party over which courts lack jurisdiction.

“Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can determine who their leaders are,” Ifoh wrote on the party’s X page.

“It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties. Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

The supreme court had allowed the appeal filed by Nenadi Usman, a former senator representing Kaduna south, and one other — and held that there were meritorious.

The apex court also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure-led faction of the LP, describing it as lacking in merit.

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Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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