The Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of being behind Tuesday’s pro-Biafra protest.
It accused Wike of funding the protest through his Special Assistant on Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, an indigene of Abia State.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, described the protest as misguided.
“Credible information available to the Rivers State chapter of the APC confirms that the pro-Biafra protest by a number of non-indigenous groups, under the platform of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was sponsored by Governor Nyesom Wike.
“The groups, mainly from the Southeast are said to be coordinated by the governor’s Media Assistant, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, himself an indigene of Abia State.
“The APC will like to also confirm that it was this coordinated support to the groups allied to the so-called IPOB that is responsible for the unrelenting support for the Wike government by Radio Biafra.
“Despite the continuous claim to ownership of Port Harcourt by Radio Biafra, which it calls Igwuocha, the Rivers State government has refused to debunk the claims of Radio Biafra and the so-called IPOB.
“The APC considers the attempt by Nwakaudu to blame those he referred to as “opposition” for Tuesday’s protest, as diversionary, because fingers are already pointed at him as the person that directly handles and organises the Indigenous People of Biafra for the government of Nyesom Wike,” the party said.
APC urged the people to remain calm and law abiding, expressing hope that its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, would win at the tribunal.
But Wike, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, denied the allegation, warning that the government would not tolerate actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order. Dissociating himself and his administration from the protest, Wike warned that those who breach the peace would face the law.
Such demonstrations would not be tolerated, he said, urging residents to go about their duties without any fear.