Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said the attempt by the police high command to arrest the state Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, 48 hours to the rerun elections, is politically-motivated.
The governor said it was aimed at giving undue advantage to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said by declaring the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Sabomabo Jackrich, wanted, a few days to the elections, the police might have been influenced by political considerations.
Speaking in a radio phone-in programme yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Wike said the people would resist the alleged plan to arrest the PDP chairman.
The governor alleged that the police high command brought in policemen from Abuja to disobey a court order restraining security agencies from arresting PDP leaders before the polls.
Wike said he had given security agencies the logistic support necessary for the polls, adding that the security agencies have a duty to work within the law.
He said: “Today, we received information that policemen from Abuja are in the state to arrest the PDP state chairman. If the police want to arrest PDP leaders 48 hours to the elections, the action is simply politically-motivated.”
Wike described as unfortunate reports credited to President Muhammadu Buhari on the violence in Rivers State.
The governor said the President never contacted him for an explanation on the security situation in the state.
He said the PDP was prepared for the rerun, while the APC and the Federal Government were not prepared.
According to him, they are only interested in antics, which he said would not work.
On the petition by his administration to the embassies of 50 countries, Wike said it was a confirmation of the readiness of the PDP to participate in credible polls.
The governor said the United States, Britain and Canada, among others, had requested meetings with him on the matter.