Rivers: PDP Says Engineered Violence To Impose Emergency Will Fail

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned
that dire consequences will follow any attempt by the APC to push its
plot to impose a state of emergency in Rivers state.

The party said it has also rallied all its formation in the state to
stiffly resist by all means necessary in a democracy any move by the APC
to scuttle the Saturday's National and State Assembly rerun elections in
the state.

The PDP leadership in a statement signed by the National Publicity
Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Thursday said “the party is privy to a
grand design by the APC to orchestrate violence in the state with a view
to truncating the elections, having realized that the PDP and its
candidates are more popular and ready to win overwhelmingly in all the
reruns.

“We are aware that the orchestration of violence is designed to serve as
stimulus for the planned imposition of a state of emergency to enable
the APC forcefully take over the state which is failed to get through
the ballot box. We also know the design to unleash violence is behind
the recent infamous call by APC spokesman in Ondo state, Omo'ba Abayomi
Adesanya for emergency rule in Rivers state.

“What else, apart from the execution of this plot explains the complains
from our candidates and members in Rivers state of constant threats by
partisan security operatives as well as the recent gale of arrests,
attacks and killing of PDP supporters in the state?

“But let it be known that Rivers state is a stronghold of the PDP and
that such profane quest would be squarely and comprehensively greeted
with intense resistance and very dire consequences.

“Our position is guarded by the fact that we remain a responsible and
law-abiding party committed to the sanctity of our electoral process,
the interest and will of the Nigerian people. Besides, we have the
numbers and the people of Rivers state are solidly behind us.


It is on this note that we totally welcome President Muhammadu Buhari’s
warning to those instigating violence and causing mayhem in Rivers
state. It is our belief that the President's warning is more directed to
APC supporters who have shown unique thirst for violence.

The hallmark of democracy is the inalienable rights of the citizens to
freely choose their leaders; vote and be voted for, and we believe this
right must be fully protected at all times.

While we expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
use Saturday’s polls to redeem its image by ensuring that the elections
were not only credible but also conclusive, we support the people of
Rivers state in their demonstrated resolve to stand up and use all
lawful means necessary in a democracy to defend their votes in the
reruns as well as protect the state government they voted for.

Signed:


Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary