Press Statement
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State Chapter says emerging facts have confirmed its earlier position that recent actions taken by the Rivers State Governor, through the State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), in dropping charges against 55 militants and several cultists under prosecution and releasing them from detention in the State is political, ill-conceived and with the motive of setting up a Militancy Strike Force in preparation for the forthcoming general elections in the State.
PDP supports its claims with reference to the sudden advice of the DPP on charges of Secret Cult Activities, participation in Secret Cult Activities, Unlawful Assembly, and unlawful Assembly to disturb public peace, in charge No PMC/1505c/2013, brought against youths who were found conveyed in different buses with bottles, stones and other dangerous weapons on July 10, 2013.
The PDP wonders why the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress, APC, through the DPP, would advice the Police authorities and the court to discontinue the matter, half way.
The PDP also recalled that 55 militants undergoing trial in a Port Harcourt High Court, presided over by Hon Justice Boma Diepiri, in connection with militancy six years ago, were last week released following the withdrawal of charges against them by the Director of Public Prosecution on the orders of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The spate at which the Governor Rotimi Amaechi led government opts out of cases, particularly those related to militancy and cultism in recent times gives one great concern. As questions trailing the release half way into the trial of the 55 militants, were yet to be answered, the Governor, through the DPP under his authority continued the recent trend by opting out of the trial and prosecution of some suspected cultists standing trial in various courts in the State.
It is therefore shocking, that cases as serious as militancy and attacks on elected government officials, like in the case of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, are now taken as political, trivial and non serious issues that can be waved off without consideration of the wounds and damaging effects on the victims and the society at large.
The Party believes that if the Governor meant well for the State he should take such issues seriously and allow the court to do its own work without interference or putting hurdles in its processes of achieving justice and fair play.
PDP also reiterates is stance that the Governor’s action portends great danger for the coming elections, as most of those released are made to be ready tools for the Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming elections.
The Peoples Democratic Party also reveals that militants and cultists released are now enlisted and placed on monthly allowances and salaries on the SURE-P, a federal government funded programme executed in the various States, which funds are misdirected by the Rivers State government and the APC. Contracts have also been awarded to militants and thugs to retain their loyalty, support and services for coming elections.
It is regrettable that Governor Amaechi and the APC will be enlisting the services of militants and cultists ahead of elections, underscoring the fact that they have lost out of the electorate favour, having failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
The PDP assures that no amount of recruitment of militants and cultists will make APC win elections in Rivers State.
Signed:
Jerry Needam
Special Adviser, on Media to
State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah
Friday, May 16, 2014
