Rep cries out over harassment of Amaechi’s supporters

AUGUST 9, 2013  

Amaechi

THE lawmaker representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, has condemned the arrest and detention of suppoters of Governor Rotimi Amaechi in the Peoples Democratic Party in his constituency.

In a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Nwuke accused the police of bias in the political crisis in the state, recalling that anti-Amaechi groups had been attacking the governor without being arrested by the police.

The lawmaker argued that the police were expected to live above board by being neutral in the crisis rocking the state.

He said, “I condemn the arbitrary arrests and detention of my constituents. People should be allowed to express their minds. It is against the tenets of our democracy. The anti-Amaechi leaders and groups are attacking the governor and the Rivers State Government on a daily basis.

“Nobody has touched them (anti-Amaechi groups). So, why should they arrest persons in my constituency, who are only expressing their minds and political affiliation? This is a clear case of intimidation and victimisation.”

Leader of Concerned People of Omuma, Mr. Darlington Nwanju, told journalists in Port Harcourt that the people of Omuma believed in  the rule of law and the tenets of democracy in the current political dispensation to redress matters affecting aggrieved parties in any form of disputes.

Nwanju expressed displeasure at the arrest, intimidation and harassment of two Omuma citizens, Mr. Leo Anyanwu and Charles Ahamefule, by the police.

He condenmed the act of harassment and intimidation of the PDP members by a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kelechi Nwogu.

Responding, Nwogu, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Chidi Nweke, alleged that Anyanwu and Ahamefule, who were executive members of the Godspower Ake-led PDP, had gone on air to announce his suspension from the party, adding that they (Anyanwu and Ahamefule) had no right to engage in such act.

Nwogu, who represents Omuma constituency in the state House of Assembly, said rather than take the law into his hands, he decided to report the matter to the police.