Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said that the confirmed arrest of son of the All Progressives Congress, APC, state Deputy Chairman, Mr. Peter Odike, by the Nigerian Army is commendable and goes further to vindicate the PDP’s position that leaders of the opposition party in the state, the APC, cannot deny their link and sponsorship of violence and criminality in the state.
In a press release from office of the chairman, the PDP said the arrest of Mr. Odike’s son, did not come to the party as a shock and that his reported confession to the crimes would make it easier and quicker for the process of investigation and prosecution by the Army and the relevant security authorities to be concluded.
The party commended the courage and decision of the suspect in confirming that he was supported by his father, Peter Odike, the APC Rivers Deputy Chairman, describing the action of the APC leader as unpatriotic, shameful, wicked and serious embarrassment to the state.
The PDP alleged that security agencies are aware of its consistent alerts to the fact that some APC chieftains are creating an insecure atmosphere in the state.
The party also accused the APC of inciting its supporters to take up arms against perceived opponents in the state and securing release from detention of hardened criminals who were being charged in court for killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and cult-related activities during the administration of former Governor Amaechi.
The PDP therefore called on the military authorities not to sweep the particular arrest of Mr. Odike’s son under the carpet, but to ensure that due process is followed in bringing him to justice to serve as deterrent to others in the state.
The PDP also appealed to other security agencies to redouble their efforts in tackling insecurity, violence and criminality in the state, as it is aware of frantic efforts the APC leaders are making, apart from the blackmail, to incite, cause violence, insecurity and declaration of state of emergency in the state.
However, the army public relations officer, APRO, Captain Lazarus Eli, when called for confirmation, denied the claim, saying that nothing like that ever happened.
