Anger has enveloped the camp of the Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, following the alleged arrest of two of his loyalists at the Wadata Plaza, Abuja during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was gathered that the lawmaker representing Ahoada East Constituency in the state House of Assembly and one Ezebunwo Ichemati were arrested by the police during the meeting.
A party leader and PDP spokesman in Rivers, Sydney Tambari Gbara, who confirmed the development in a statement accused the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Samuel Nwanosike of supervising the arrest.
Gbara, who had since declared his loyalty for Fubara, claimed that the arrest was a part of the plans by enemies of the state to intimidate Fubara’s loyalists and provoke crisis that could spill over to Rivers despite efforts by Fubara to maintain peace in the state.
He said: “The arrest at the Wadata House where party men of timber and calibre from the PDP were meeting to forge unity in the rank and file of the party is another sad and embarrassing experience of unending acts of harassment suffered by PDP members loyal to Governor Fubara.
“It was unimaginable that associates and supporters of governors and leaders from other states were cheering their leaders as they arrived at the Wadata House unhindered, those from Rivers who came to identify with Governor Fubara were being harassed, intimidated, arrested and detained by the Police without provocation.
“We have time without number advise the police to remain neutral and not allow themselves to be used by political jobbers to settle political scores, especially those concerning Rivers State”.
Gbara also called on Rivers people, particularly supporters of Fubara to remain strong and unwavering in their commitment to the success of his administration.
But the Ikwerre Local Government Area swiftly denied the involvement of Nwanosike in the ordeals of the two Fubara’s supporters.
Chris Omodu, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Nwanosike said the chairman never supervised the arrest of some Rivers youths “who were fomenting trouble at the PDP NEC’s meeting and were arrested by the police”.
Omodu said: “I want to put the record straight that the Executive Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, is not a law enforcement officer that will supervise and arrest people. The persons arrested by the police know the offenses committed by them”.
He insisted that Nwanosike had no hand in the arrest of some of the youths, whom he said were sponsored by some unscrupulous elements in the state to cause trouble at the meeting.
He said the youths, who claimed to be supporters of the governor went to Abuja to disrupt the peace of PDP NEC meeting and to abuse the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike.
He said: “Mr. Tambari Sydney Gbara should not be taken serious, he lacks the power to issue a statement on behalf PDP in Rivers State because he is no longer the Publicity Secretary of Rivers State PDP.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NWC of PDP has released the list of state Caretaker Committee of Rivers State. He is seeking for attention and more money from his paying machine. Sydney Gbara should save himself from cheap popularity.”
