A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Augustine Wokocha, has absolved himself of any complicity in the beheading of Mohammed Alkali, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and his orderly during the December 10 rerun in the state.
The politician said he had no link with the youths the police arrested for the murder.
He accused Governor Nyesom Wike and Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, who hails from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, where the policemen were beheaded, of cooking up lies against him and committing the violence that marred the rerun.
Wokocha, a former Rivers Commissioner for Power in the Rotimi Amaechi administration for almost eight years, addressed reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He said: “Before now, I served in various capacities. First, as a member of Rivers State House of Assembly; later, as Commissioner for Power, for nearly eight years. During my years as a parliamentarian and public officer, I have never been associated with politics of violence. I call on any concerned member of the public either in the state or outside to check the records.
“Since we decided to join APC in 2013, there have been several attacks on my person and my community by those who have other political persuasions. In their desperation to prove their supremacy, they recruited boys who murdered many APC members, including Chief Christopher Adube and six members of his household; Chief G. Ahiaidu, Mr. Clever Orukwowu (APC LGA Youth Leader), Franklin Obi (APC Ward 4 Chairman), his pregnant wife and teenage son; Nwachukwu Levi Orekegba, from my community (Okposi), among so many others and made my LGA (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni) ungovernable for us.
“Many homes that were burnt are still deserted till date. Many of my kinsmen, who fled for fear of these evil men, are still living as refugees in other parts of the state or outside. At the last count, we had lost more than 200 party (APC) members. Today, the same people who are disturbing the peace in the community and who were alleged to have masterminded some of the high-profile killings are now enjoying amnesty from the PDP-led Rivers State Government.
“It is condemnable that these same characters extended their dastardly acts to the law enforcement agents, who came to maintain peace during the December 10 legislative rerun. What I find most shocking and amazing, in this sad, most regrettable and ignoble act and situation, is the determination of the leadership of the mischief-makers to ensure that this ‘one killing too many’ on December 10, 2016, of our dear lawmen be credited to my person.
“There is no iota of truth in the fabricated allegation. On the Election Day, I was one person who conducted myself peacefully throughout the exercise, against all provocation. I urge the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate this allegation, to ensure that the truth is laid bare.
“I have chosen the path of rectitude from birth, in defence of my responsible pedigree. Those who have chosen the path of crime and infamy must have the courage to stand and own up to their acts. Cowardice is a horrible vice to add to vicious criminality. This campaign of calumny has failed, like those before it.”