Ahead of Saturday’s elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state says it has uncovered plots by the state government and the PDP to get thugs dressed in military uniforms to intimidate and harass voters in some parts of the state.
Publicity Secretary of the party, Darlington Nwauju who made this known yesterday, said the state has a history of violence and killing.
According to him, the lives of Rivers people are not safe, recalling that over 500 members of the party were killed in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni in 2015.
He noted that if the federal government and the police did not step up in providing adequate security for the Saturday’s polls, that the party would have no option than to advise its followers and voters to defend themselves.
“We have uncovered plots by the state government and PDP to get thugs dressed in military uniforms to harass and intimidate voters, especially in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor LGAs.
“We make bold to say that we have a history that has violence and killing which we can recall the killing of over 500 of our members in ONELGA.
“We want to put it on record that the security operatives in Rivers State are proactive. President Muhammadu Buhari should note that the lives of Rivers people are not safe. On the 18th, Saturday, the Federal Government of Nigeria should tell the people of Rivers State, especially members of the APC if they should take the laws into their hands by defending themselves.
“Or should we still believe that security agencies, especially the police will be able to secure lives and property of the people particularly those in opposition
Nwauju alleged that the security architecture of the state has been compromised, wondering why security is being compromised in a state that is strategic to the economic development of the nation.
“We want to warn that the APC will instruct their followers to defend themselves because security agencies have refused bluntly to provide security to the people of the state and the opposition members,” he added.
He called on the Federal Government to tell the people of Rivers State especially members of the APC if they should take laws into their hands by defending themselves.
