APC, PDP trade words over Rivers tribunal

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trading accusation of plot to obstruct justice at the governorship election tribunal in Rivers State.

APC yesterday denied using the Department of State Security (DSS) and military to intimidate PDP as alleged by its federal lawmakers in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari. The party alleged that, instead, it is the PDP, in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that is preventing it from getting justice at the tribunal.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said “those who are blatantly obstructing the course of justice are the same ones now trying to play the victim.”

The party said “despite the order from the tribunal, the duo of Rivers PDP and the INEC have colluded to ensure that the Rivers APC neither gets the certified true copies of requested documents nor inspect the electoral materials used for the governorship polls. This was why we reported to the security agencies, especially the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

‘’Even though the IG intervened to ensure that the order of the tribunal was carried out, the Rivers INEC still refused. This was why the DSS, seeking to prevent a breakdown of law and order now invited the obstructionists to impress it upon them to carry out the order of the tribunal. Despite these efforts, the order has still not been complied with till today.’’

But the PDP described the allegation of obstruction of justice as failed, cheap blackmail and an infantile attempt to cover the ruling party’s alleged illegality of using state security agencies to attempt to subvert the victory of the PDP in the governorship election.
PDP said that APC’s reaction to the petition showed its desperation to grab power through the back door, in a state where it was roundly rejected by the electorate.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday said the APC’s statement was aimed at blackmailing judicial and electoral officers in the state as well as justify the alleged reprehensible use of the security agencies to intimidate and attempt to arm-twist them to do its bidding.