Security operatives clamp down on Opara’s loyalists, arrest 40

I Won’t Allow Anybody Destabilise Rivers, Wike Declares

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has taken a new twist, as properties belonging to loyalists of former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara, have been sealed. 

Opara recently fell out with Governor Nyesom Wike after the nomination of the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the running mate to the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar. 

Inside sources told The Guardian that Opara was empowered to deliver the mandate to favour Wike, but due to top political games, the table turned and their friendship turned sour. 

It was gathered that security operatives suspected to have come from the Government House, led by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Wike, between midnight of Thursday and 01:00 a.m. yesterday, sealed Priscy’s Bar owned by former House of Assembly member, Jones Ogbonda, and arrested over 40 customers and staff in the premises.

The officers numbering about 20 reportedly invaded the premises with 10 police vans and proceeded to Preray Hotel at Eagle Island owned by former Port Harcourt Local Council PDP Chairman, Ikechi Chinda, sealed it and arrested some employees.

Similarly, the Tool Filling Station on Ojoto Street in Mile One, Diobu, owned by House of Representatives member, Mr. Chinyere Igwe, was also sealed.

The trio, whose properties were sealed, are said to be Opara’s loyalists.  

Opara, former Governor Celestine Omehia and Senator Lee Maeba, who were Wike’s strong allies, have parted ways with the governor. 

Reason for the clampdown was still unknown at press time, as efforts to reach Brick House security and spokesperson for the state’s police command, Grace Koko failed.

But Wike, during a state broadcast two weeks ago, said he obtained intelligence that some misguided politicians had started recruiting cultists, ex-convicts and thugs in furtherance of their political aspirations for 2023.

The governor has declared that his government will resist any act of criminality tended to destabilise the state.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 12th flyover at Mgbuoba, Ozuoba–Ada George Road in Obio/Akpor Local Council, which was performed by former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, yesterday, the governor stressed that his administration invested hugely in achieving the prevailing peace, adding that nothing would be tolerated in returning the state to the dark days of insecurity.

His words: “Now, let me tell anyone who cares to listen, whether you are in PDP, All progressives Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Accord Party or any other party, if I catch you trying to breach the security in this state, you will go in for it.

“I will not allow anybody to destabilise this state. We have suffered insecurity, and God, together with security agencies, has helped us to maintain peace. For me, whether it is true or not, I must make sure that I take action.”

According to Wike, most people, sadly, do not take the warning he issued in the last state broadcast seriously. He had warned that any hotel or event centre where criminals or cultists are allowed to gather to plot the breach of peace would be demolished.

He explained that the PDP was delighted to have chosen Mr. Siminalaye Fubara as its governorship candidate because “he knows what is going on in government.”

Performing the flag-off, Gana noted that the flyover project would add to the beauty and efficiency of the metropolis, by enhancing accessibility.

He bemoaned the reported failure of APC in all sectors and appealed that the national economy that is at the brink of collapse should not be allowed to slump.