The party said they were abducted following their invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission to pick up the requested Certified True Copies of documents used in the conduct of the March 18 governorship and State Assembly elections.
The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has alleged the abduction of its lawyer, Godswill Dike and the brother of its State Legal Adviser, Barr. Azubuike Dike on Thursday.
The party said they were abducted following their invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission to pick up the requested Certified True Copies of documents used in the conduct of the March 18 governorship and State Assembly elections.
In a statement jointly signed by Darlington Nwauju, State Publicity Secretary, Rivers APC and Sogbeye C. Eli, Spokesman, Rivers APC 2023 Campaign Council, the party accused members of the Peoples Democratic Party of being behind the abduction.
It said, “We have just been informed about the abduction of Dr. Godswill Dike, a lawyer, member of our party and brother of the State Legal Adviser, Barr. Azubuike Dike, this evening right inside the Rivers State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Aba Road, Port Harcourt. Dr. Godswill Dike was invited to the Commission to take delivery of the certified true copies of the INEC documents that we applied for pursuant to the provisions of Section 74 of the Electoral Act 2022.
“Acting apparently on a tip-off, Edison Ehie and Samuel Nwasonike, aided by the surge of the PDP mob outside the premises swooped on him inside the INEC office shortly after Dr. Godswill Dike signed for the documents and sped away with him to the State Assembly residential Quarters behind the INEC State Headquarters.
“Our initial reaction was to establish contact with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Jackson Alalibo Semikien, to report the criminal abduction of the aforementioned Dr. Dike. Curiously, the REC who has done nothing beyond a Press Release two days ago directing political parties to proceed to LGA Offices of the Commission for the election documents they may require, told our governorship candidate emphatically that there was nothing the Commission can do, having released the documents we applied for to Dr. Godswill Dike.
“Contacts have also been made with the Deputy Speaker who assured his caller that Dr. Godswill Dike would return safe but the materials they took from him should be forgotten.
“Calls made by our governorship candidate to the military also yielded no fruit with the hierarchy stating that until the military receive invitation from the Police they cannot be involved in a purely civil operation.
“In the circumstance, we are left with no option but call on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to immediately go after the Deputy Speaker, Edison Ehie, and the Ikwerre Council Chairman, Samuel Nwanosike to safeguard the life of Dr. Godswill Dike and retrieve our election materials from his abductors.
“You will recall that the APC has been inundated with all sorts of attacks, arrests and other illegal actions by the PDP in Rivers State to obstruct our quest for justice at the Elections Petitions Tribunal as allowed by law.
“From the arrest of our lawyers in a Hotel and carting away of our party’s copies of elections materials, laying siege on the INEC State Headquarters to physically assaulting our governorship candidate, Arc. Tonye Cole, Mni who was at the same INEC State Headquarters last Monday invitation by the REC to the attack on our State Secretariat here where flags were pulled down and vehicles were destroyed at will, the ruling party has conducted itself with grave impunity since the rape of the rights of Rivers people and the electorate in the State to freely elect their Governor and representatives at both the National and State levels.
“Nothing could have emboldened the kidnap of Dr. Godswill Dike this evening shortly after PDP members who had been camped at INEC invaded the Complex than the statement by Governor Nyesom Wike endorsing the illegal obstruction of opposition parties seeking to access the Commission’s Headquarters ahead of filing their petitions.
“We have been subjected to several acts of provocation by the PDP yet have maintained equanimity of spirit to keep the peace in our State. Yet, our opponents are not about to allow the peace reign.”
“The APC is asking that Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State,” it added.
Meanwhile, a source in the APC told SaharaReporters that it was the “second time our lawyers and evidence have been seized”.
“He (the lawyer) was accosted by PDP thugs led by the Deputy Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly Hon Edison who ordered the total barricade of INEC saying no one should be allowed to enter or leave.
“Information reaching us is that the lawyer and documents were taken to the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters situated behind INEC State Headquarters.
“We are concerned for the safety of the lawyer and are calling for his immediate release with all the evidence,” the source added.
Some supporters of the PDP on Wednesday tried to stop opposition candidates in the state from inspecting materials used in the conduct of the polls.
Some of the suspected political thugs displayed charms to threaten opposition party members at the state office of INEC.
The PDP supporters stormed the INEC office accompanied by two herbalists who met curious stares at the INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
In pictures and videos seen by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, herbalists clad in white attire placed a ceramic pot at the INEC office gate while performing incantations with liquid substances.
SaharaReporters had reported that the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Tonye Cole lamented that INEC refused to grant his party and team of lawyers access to inspect the materials used in the conduct of the election.
On Monday, he was beaten by thugs allegedly loyal to Governor Nyesom Wike.