Three chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Dr. Lawrence Chukwu, Chikordi Dike and Alex Wele , say they are still traumatized nine days after they were abducted by hoodlums allegedly sponsored by Governor Nyesom Wike at ObioAkpor Collation Centre during the March 9 governorship elections in the state.
Narrating their ordeals to journalists in Port-Harcourt on Monday, the victims who were party agents of African Action Congress (AAC), following the adoption of the candidates of AAC for the elections alleged that they were whisked away by thugs into the Governor’s vehicle at about 11:00pm on Saturday after the Governor allegedly invaded the centre.
One of the victims, Chikordi Dike, said that some of the hoodlums were dressed in fake military and police uniforms while some were dressed in a black T. Shirt with inscription, “Neighbourhood Safety Watch”.
He said, “APC did not have candidates for the elections; so we were collation agents for AAC in Obio/Akpor Local Council because our party, APC, adopted it.
“While we were in the council between 11pm to 12am, suddenly, Governor Wike came in with over 200 persons fully armed and some with police and military wears.
“Immediately, the atmosphere charged. Earlier before Wike’s arrived, the atmosphere was very cordial; the party agents were exchanging pleasantries but when the Governor arrived, it turned into a war situation and suddenly, we noticed sporadic shootings, everyone scampered for safety and as we were running, some hoodlums whisked us into one of Wike’s vehicle pretending to be protecting us.”
Also speaking, Chukwu alleged that electoral materials were also carted by the men that arrived with Governor Wike before the elections were suspended.
He stated that collations of results did not take place at the Obio/Akpor Council and called on the INEC to discountenance claims by anyone that elections were collated at the council.
On his part, Alex Wele, said, he was attacked and manhandled by the hoodlums, insisting that they were not allowed access to the Local Council’s Chairman, Solomon Eke’s office, where the Electoral Officer was kept until she was whisked away.
