Rivers State Government yesterday said it uncovered a plot by a faceless group to begin a campaign of calumny against Governor Nyesom Wike.
The governor and four of his colleagues, known as the G-5, have been demanding fairness in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They are asking National Chairman Dr Iyorchia Ayu to resign because, according to them, it was agreed that he would step down if Atiku Abubakar, also a northerner, becomes the party’s presidential candidate.
Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Chris Finebone, said the government obtained an unsigned document containing the plot to blackmail Wike.
“This is the evidence of the plot to blackmail Governor Wike. This is the document and it is titled, ‘proposal with hashtag, to end Wike rascality programme,” he said, displaying a paper.
Finebone said the development did not surprise the government and wondered why the group chose to remain faceless.
“We encourage them to remove their mask and show themselves as the governor and the government is equal to the task of responding to them adequately,” he said.
He said the government found out that individuals within the party were behind the campaign.
He said: “They can’t even sign it (the document) to push for this. It is important we warn them. It is important we also warn Nigerians about this scheme.
“We expect more of them to come. But I can assure you that the governor and the G-5 would rise to the occasion as they continue to start this type of campaign of calumny.”
Finebone also gave reasons why the government sealed the premises of the EUI Event Centre located along Sani Abacha link Road within the Government Reserved Area (GRA) Phase 3, Port Harcourt.
“The management of EUI Events Center had refused to refrain from blocking an entire stretch of part of Sani Abacha link Road, GRA phase 3 without government approval,” he said.
He said the centre was sealed with effect from December 7.
Finebone urged owners of event centres to plan for the vehicles of their guests not to obstruct traffic and create inconveniences for other road users.
Rivers govt, Atiku’s campaigner differ on attack
Also yesterday, the state government and Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council for Rivers, Senator Lee Maeba, expressed divergent views over the attack on his residence in Port Harcourt.
Maeba claimed that one of the attackers called and told him that they had instructions from some quarters to kill him.
But, Finebone asked security agencies to probe the possibility of the incident being staged for political reasons.
Read Also: G-5: Rivers alleges campaign of calumny against Wike
Maeba condemned the attack of his residence, saying the assailants came less than 30 minutes after he drove out.
Maeba, a former senator, who represented the Rivers Southeast at the National Assembly, insisted that the hoodlums were after his life.
It was gathered that the thugs in their numbers at about 7am marched into the Senator’s residence, shot thrice into the air, scaled the fence and gained access into the compound.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Those of them inside tied the security man and started breaking the padlock of the fence from inside so that others can come in.”
The hoodlums destroyed windscreens and glasses of four Toyota salon cars and one SUV in the compound.
Maeba: “There was some uneasy movement along this street. Some neighbours called my attention that they saw a lot of strange faces like a build-up of thugs. I dismissed it.
“Then, at about 9:00am, I said let me go and see my mother-in-law. But, before then, a young man called me with a number that I don’t know and told me that I have done him a favour before, that I should be careful if I am at home.
“He said they had instructions from some quarters to attack my house and attack me. But, I dismissed it because I don’t have problem with anybody.
“I just drove out with my security personnel to see my mother-in-law. As I entered my mother-in-law’s house, my phone was ringing and my nephew picked up the phone and said my house was under attack.
“They shot at the gate and forced it open. They climbed the second gate and tied up the security man. They entered the compound and were shouting ‘where is he? Where is he? Only one bullet will solve this Atiku problem’.
“My elder brother was standing somewhere there and they descended on him. The next thing they started doing was to use the butt of their guns to destroy the cars.
“They got to the front door (main house), hit at the door but they couldn’t succeed. So, they started retreating. You can see the destruction.
“My worry is, what is my offence that people will come to my compound? Atiku does not live here.
“I only work for Atiku, yes. I am an Atiku’s supporter. What has that got to do in attacking my house in a bid to kill me? This is democracy and I am a democrat.”
Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, said a full scale investigation had been ordered.
Finebone urged security agencies to do a thorough job.
He said: “It is not strange to find politicians staging high level melodrama to either cover up their tracks or muddle up the waters to achieve a preconceived narrative aimed at hoodwinking the public for political reasons especially at a time like this.
“Today (yesterday), a report by former Senator Lee Maeba surfaced on social media that he got a call from a young man.
“And the caller purportedly, in his own words said, ‘that they have instructions from either government or some quarters to attack my house’.
“This makes it obvious that Senator Maeba should help security agencies in unraveling the purported attack on his house and those behind it.
“It is not enough to blame such an attack on ‘either government or some quarters.’ He should try and remember exactly whom the caller said sent him (the caller).
“The Rivers State Government, working with security agencies, will continue to render all possible assistance for security agencies to ensure safety of life and property in Rivers State at all times.”