APC behind insecurity in Anambra, wants state of emergency – Obiano

13 min read 2,480 words 9 views

Ahead of the November 18 governorship election in his state, the
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has accused the ruling All
Progressives Congress, APC, of trying to plunge the state into
crisis in order to use its federal might to impose a state of
emergency.

The governor who was reacting to reports credited to the APC
National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, where he called on the
former to “write his hand over notes and start preparing to vacate
office,” said such statement lacked democratic spirit.

Similarly, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has called on
African lawyers to help revive democracy in Nigeria, saying the
ruling APC has used the police to destroy its foundation.

The governor also accused the police saying, “The police is the
one promoting crime in Nigeria. Most of the kidnapping in the
country are done by the police. We cannot continue like this,
enough is enough.”

But the police promptly responded by describing governor Wike’s
statement as deceitful.

Meanwhile, Governor Obiano, who reacted to calls on him by the
APC national chairman to write his hand-over note, said “No doubt
this statement, which we consider as coming from not just Chief
Oyegun but from the ruling APC is a clear threat to Nigeria’s
democracy and security in Anambra State.

“We have it on good authority that they have been working at
various options including an attempt to foment insecurity in the
state to pave way for a state of emergency as a prelude to their
take-over. What this requires is that Anambra people and Nigerians
in general, especially lovers of democracy and good governance
should be alert.

“It has again re-affirmed the undemocratic nature of many APC
apostles and this is unfortunate for our nation, especially at this
critical point in our history when democratic tenets should be
nurtured,” he said.

In a statement in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media
and Strategic Communications, Prince Oliver Okpala, the governor
accused the APC national chairman of lacking integrity and moral
ground to speak on good governance, saying he does not have such
record.

“Oyegun’s declaration that his rudderless party will take over
Anambra is also an unfortunate exposure of that undemocratic spirit
and cancer that has befallen the APC. If what we practice is true
democracy, where democracy is the government of the people, for the
people and by the people, Oyegun could not have made such an
unguarded utterance.

“If unchecked, APC’s negative political appetite will mean that
the up-coming elections and the inherent display of the power of
choice by the electorate will all be an exercise in futility. For
them , since they control the Federal Government which is in charge
of the crucial agencies such as INEC , the Police and other
security agencies, then their sinister motive would be easily
achieved.

“The naked truth is that if anything untoward happens in
Anambra, the world should hold Oyegun responsible. Power is given
by God and must not be sought for by killing and devilish
orchestration. A destructive means cannot bring about a
constructive end.

“Democracy is about the people, and its powers and legitimacy
should flow from the ballot box, not the barrel of the gun, even as
seemingly unattractive as that is. So, Oyegun and the APC must
accept that reality, and refrain from their evil plot to forcefully
remove Obiano from office come November 18 governorship election in
Anambra State.

“His declaration that ‘APC must take over Anambra’ is a signal
that they are bent on forcefully overturning the will of the people
who are the true custodians of democracy. Sadly, this is not the
first time APC chieftains are making such calamitous declarations.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State had earlier said so when he
inaugurated an illegal, thuggery gang which he said he will use to
override the will of the electorate in Anambra, as if Anambra was a
battlefield.

“Granted, as Oyegun said, Anambra is crucial to their plot of
making inroads into the South East, but must that be achieved
through undemocratic means which often leads to bloodletting and
mayhem?”

The statement also recalled how the Minister of Labour and
Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige had made similar remarks, saying “the
implication of this is that the APC has contrived a grave plot to
undermine the will of the Anambra electorate, to forcefully take
over the governance of Anambra State.

“Instead of working genuinely to win the love of the people of
Anambra as required in a democratic setting, the APC leaders who
know that Obiano has performed creditably are rather working out
sinister plots to unseat him.”

He however called on all Nigerians, especially the Anambrans to
be vigilant and prepare against “any evil plot by the Oyegun-led
APC to perpetrate rigging in the forthcoming election.”

On his part, Governor Wike, who accused the police of being
responsible for most kidnapping in the country, also alleged that
the APC was already laying the structures to rig the 2019 general
election through the promotion of indicted police officers.

He made the allegations at a state banquet he gave members of
the African Bar Association at Government House, Port Harcourt on
Monday night.

Mr. Wike said the police promoted Akin Fakorede, the Rivers
State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, commander, whom he alleged
was filmed at a collation centre rigging election and beating up
electoral officials.

He said the police also promoted an Assistant Commissioner of
Police, Steven Hasso, “For his criminal role in the rigging of
rerun elections on December 10, 2016.

“They promised Nigerians change, but we are seeing nothing. The
former President of Tanzania by his visit has done us much good by
his presence in Nigeria. Through him, we will send a message to the
world.

“Democracy in Nigeria is gone. By 2019, nobody should talk about
democracy. One Mr Akin Fakorede who was caught on video rigging
election has been promoted. Stephen Hasso, who was also a culprit
in the rigging of election has been promoted. Both of them are to
be positioned in Rivers State for 2019 to help the APC rig
elections.”

He added that APC had made it a policy to intimidate and destroy
the judiciary.

He claimed that the situation has degenerated to the level that
police had taken over the duty of INEC by allegedly certifying
election results for APC to use at tribunals.

The governor said that the police under the current dispensation
has become a major stumbling block to the investment drive of the
country as they deliberately generate insecurity.

Denying Wike’s allegation, police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood
told Premium Times, “Everybody knows the antics of Governor Wike.
You people should disregard such statements. The Nigeria Police is
not promoting any crime. In fact, we are fighting crime with all
the resources at our disposal.

“I want people to disregard such statement we have made a lot of
progress in terms of fighting crime and criminality.”

Moshood said that the promotion of senior police officers was
done by the Police Service Commission.

“I am not aware of any promotion like that. Promotion is not
done by the IGP of the Nigeria Police Force, it is done by the
Police Service Commission. And to the best of my ability, the
commission has not released any list of promoted officers. Anything
that has to do with promotion, the commission is in charge.”