Supporters of the embattled Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in Omuma Local Government Area have alleged of a police clampdown in the form of arrest and intimidation.
One of the five members supporting the minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, who represents Omuma, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu is allegedly behind the arrest and intimidation of supporters of Amaechi in the area.
But a source, who spoke to 247ureports.com, told our correspondent that the police were carrying out their duties to maintain law and order in Omuma, and that it has nothing to do with Kelechi Nwogu.
The police in the area have arrested two members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Leo Anyanwu and Charles Ahamefule, a development that has been condemned by the member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke.
Nwuke said in a statement, “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, 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 victimization.”
“The Police must be seen and perceived to be acting above board. This looks like a clear case of taking sides against Rivers people in the political crisis in the State. In the midst of this crisis, one would have expected that the police would be neutral and discharge their duties without bias but unfortunately the reverse is the case”, Nwuke said.
A group, the Concerned People of Omuma has equally condemned the police onslaught, saying that it runs contrary to the Rule of Law and democracy. One of the leaders of the group, Hon. Darlington Nwanju, who spoke to reporters on the development in the council area, called on the Inspector-General of Police to call his men to order and avoid any form of incursion that is capable of destabilizing the peaceful political climate in Omuma.
He said: “On Sunday, at about 11.am, we got information that Mr. Leo Anyanwu was arrested, while on Monday, Hon. Charles Anyanwu was also arrested by Hon. Kelechi Nwogu and they were taken to Abuja.
“I want to say that the people of Omuma believe that the charges against them are purely trumped up charges. Defending their interests practically means defending the collective interests of Omuma people. And we are saying as Omuma people that we are tired of the continued harassment, victimization and intimidation against innocent citizens just because of our support for Governor Amaechi.”
Also speaking, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly from Omuma, Hon. Emmanuel Okatta, who accused Nwogu as the mastermind of the police clampdown, said that the lawmaker has deviated from his primary responsibility, which is to secure the people’s interest.
