The Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs and the camp of Governor Douye Diri are trading words over claims of violence in the state.
The chiefs accused Douye of secretly recruiting some known cultists ahead of the November 11 election. But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah dismissed the claims.
The council, in a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Chief Yusuo Theo-Iruo, said the governor and the party were planning to invade and overrun Nembe with their thugs and militants using a scheduled campaign as a cover.
The council said known armed men, cultists and terrorists, who fled the communities when the Inspector-General of Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT’s) team entered the community for a peace mission, were being readied by PDP for a comeback to unleash violence on the people ahead of the poll.
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The council in its statement said: “We are reliably informed of a sinister plot to reintroduce thugs and militant elements into Opu Nembe during the planned ‘Campaign’ of the PDP in Nembe. The campaign is to serve as a cover for the invasion of Opu Nembe.
Alabrah said Governor Douye Diri had suspended all chieftaincy and youth activities in Bassambiri community until further notice in order to stabilise the security situation in the area.
“Therefore, the so-called Opu-Nembe Council of Chiefs is not recognised by the state government at the moment and it will not take issues with an illegal body, ‘’the CPS added.