The Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party has reacted to the sealing of the campaign secretariat of its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Rivers State.
Dr. Leloonu Nwibubassa, spokesman for the PCC in Rivers State, stated this on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
Nwibubasa said the sealing of the secretariat located at No. 32, Onne Road, new GRA in Port Harcourt, was clearly the handiwork of the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration to stifle perceived political opponents.
According to him, the sealing of the Atiku campaign office has again shown that Wike had misused his powers as Governor of the state.
He said, “It is very unfortunate and I think that all civil society groups, the international community, all lovers of democracy all over the world must understand that Governor Wike has misused his powers as governor.
“Not just to suppress and oppress, but to intimidate the people of Rivers State from expressing their free will to support any candidate of their choice or to be a member of any party of their choice, as expressly guaranteed in the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We have condemned it as an act of lawlessness by the governor.”
It said it was sad that Wike by his actions did not appreciate what he benefited from, in the present democracy, having been a two time chairman of a local government in 1999, and also became a Chief of Staff. He was Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and completing his second tenure as Governor,” he said.
Nwibubassa however said, “By closing down the political space in Rivers State; by intimidating and suppressing voices that are in opposition to his own bidding, Governor Wike is exalting himself to become the leader of all anti-democratic forces in Nigeria militating against the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of association, freedom of lawful and peaceful assembly.
“Everything about that secretariat and campaign office, every requirement has been made.
“So the governor is left with no excuse that the action that he has taken is completely outside the law. It is vindictive. It is against the right of the people,” he added.
Continuing, he said, “So, for us, it is unfortunate and we think that all well- meaning lovers of democracy should speak out against Governor Wike’s intent on his actions so far.”
