Rivers PDP Accuses Police Command Of Taking Side In Political Crisis

By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Rivers State has accused the State Police Command of taking side in the handling of some politically related matters in the State.

PDP State Publicity Secretary, Sydney Tambari Gbara, who made the allegation in Port Harcourt, stated that only loyalists of Governor Siminialayi Fubara were being arrested on trumped up charges.

He referred to the arrest and detention of the Beeri Ward 9 Coordinator of Simplified Movement and former Councillor, Ward 9 in Khana Local Government Legislative assembly, Barine Roland Edoo .

Gbara wondered why those that did not commit any offence other than being  supporters of Governor Fubara were arrested and detained for over 72 hours without being charged to court.

According to him, those accused of violence and destruction of equipment worth Millions of naira at the venues of the Thanksgiving service for the Supreme Court victory of Fubara in Ahoada West, Etche and Omuma LGAs are still walking about freely.

While calling for the release of Roland Edoo, the PDP Publicity Secretary equally enjoined the Police not to take side in the political crisis experienced in the State, but to remain professional and apolitical.

“This is injustice and a clear case of abuse of the fundamental human rights of Hon.Edooh, and we fear that this growing trend of injustice orchestrated by the State Police command, may escalate crisis in the State.

He blamed the lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Dum Deekor for using his position to harass and intimidate supporters of the Governor.

“We are advising him to stop seeing supporters of Governor Fubara in Beeri as easy prey for unnecessary harassment, unlawful arrest and detention because no amount of intimidation will deter the people from standing firmly with Sir Sim Fubara.

“I wonder why the Police is yet to release Hon Barine Roland Edoo despite the glaring evidence that it was a set up, witch hunt and a politically motivated arrest.

“Already,  one Nania Lenee, alias Awilo, a native of Beeri, who was hired to go to the Police station to make statement has told the police that he was bribed by some people to bear false witness against Roland Edoo.

“We are therefore telling the Police Commissioner that having gotten this fact, Hon Roland Edoo should be released immediately or be charged to court.

“In the same vein, we are also appealing to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetukun to drop the charges against The Chief of Staff Government House, Port Harcourt , Rt Hon Edison Ehie as they were politically motivated.”