The Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, Leloonu Nwibubasa has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of an attempt to violate his fundamental human rights and that of other Atiku Abubakar supporters in the state.
Governor Wike had declared Nwibubasa and 26 other politicians in Rivers State, wanted on Thursday, alleging that they are plotting to disrupt the elections with armed thugs, cultists, and gangsters in military and police uniforms.
Wike further requested that security agencies should arrest and prosecute them.
But, Nwibubasa in his reaction to Wike’s orders, said the move by the Governor is a complete affront on President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that citizens should be allowed to freely support any candidate of their choice irrespective of political affiliation.
He said Governor Wike has again demonstrated that he cannot stand those opposed to his political views.
Nwibubasa urged the Nigeria police and other security agencies not to allow the Governor to drag them into settling political scores with his perceived political opponents.
He stated that the names listed in Wike’s broadcast are law abiding citizens, and called on security agencies to watch out for criminal elements that may be used by the same Governor, to actualize his plot to manipulate Saturday’s elections.
“It is unfortunate that Governor Wike has demonstrated over and again that he is such a leader that cannot tolerate opposing views. And of course, what informs Governor Wike that we do not have a right of choice in an election where everyone is constitutionally guaranteed to vote their choice of candidate?
“By the action of the Governor, declaring myself and others to be arrested and prosecuted on a very frivolous trump up allegation, this again tells us that Governor Wike is one man that is afraid of competition.
“No wonder throughout the tenure of this Governor, even councilors in their communities, have never been allowed to compete for position.
“But let me make it very clear that every declaration by Governor Wike that I and others should be arrested, is an attempt to violate our fundamental right.
“And we are aware that this has been done to stop us from coming out to exercise our franchise and vote in the elections on Saturday. But it is very clear that Governor Wike in his ploy has failed even before he stated, because we will come out boldly and strongly, and we will vote for a candidate of our choice without fear of harassment,” he said.
The spokesman for the PDP PCC in the state further made reference to a Federal High Court order, restraining Governor Wike and the Police from arresting the Atiku supporters in the state
