The Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for the attack on members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress in Okrika, Rivers State during its campaign rally.
Amaechi, who spoke with journalists in Abuja after the enlarged APC leaders meeting at the Shehu Yar’Adua centre on Tuesday, also condemned the act of violence and expressed disappointment over the law enforcement agents’ failure to ensure a hitch free campaign for the APC.
He said this was despite the earlier assurance given by the police.
He said: “Again, as usual, the wife of the president won’t allow the APC hold rally in that place (Okrika).
“The wife of the president and the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers (Nyesom Wike) again organized thugs to disrupt APC rally.
“As usual, the police couldn’t protect us.
“Over 200 police men.
“I asked the Commissioner of Police and he said they have over 200 policemen there.
“Yet, three explosions and then they opened fire on members of APC.
“The Channels TV reporter I hear, is injured, stabbed and members of APC injured.
“We had meetings with DSS (Department of State Services) and police and they confirmed we could go ahead.
“There were 200 policemen and there were between 20 to 30 DSS men who came there and they did nothing.”
Asked if Rivers State is good for elections, he said: “You should ask the President.
“It’s not me you should be asking.
“If he is in Sambisa, if he is in Borno fighting the 14 local government areas, like I said, there were crises in the Niger Delta in 2007 and there were elections.
“So if the 14 local governments of Borno and Adamawa and Yobe, he can’t go ahead with election, then where is he going ahead with election when the whole of Rivers State is being invaded by PDP and PDP thugs and security men are watching and doing nothing.”
Amaechi called for a stop to the harassment of APC members and supporters in Okrika, the home of Dame Jonathan, stating that it would be unpleasant if other local government areas of the state take a cue from that situation.
“Clearly, the wife of the president does not want APC to campaign in Okrika, her local government area,” Amaechi said.
