The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has condemned what it described as mindless blackmail against Senator MAGNUS ABE over the violence in Ogoni.The state leadership of the APC said it had restrained from making hasty comments on the security operations by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in Rivers State, particularly in Yeghe, Gokana Local Government, in line with its position to be cautious and circumspect about security matters.However, the APC said following unsavoury statements by some opportunistic individuals on the violence in the Khana and Gokana axis, it had become necessary to correct certain destructive narratives that are intended to deceive the Ogonis, Rivers people and Nigerians.In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, CHRIS FINEBONE, the party said the violence in Ogoni was planted, watered and nurtured by recent remarks by Governor NYESOM WIKE at the birthday ceremony of Senator LEE MAEBA.The APC spokesman recalled that Governor WIKE had in his remakrs asked the Ogonis to do everything possible to ensure that Senator MAGNUS ABE was stopped from winning the Rivers South-East Senatorial seat during the forthcoming rerun elections.FINEBONE said the Governor’s statement set the stage for the unfolding debacle of violence that befell Bori earlier in the week, as suspected cultists and hoodlums allegedly working for the PDP descended on Senator ABE’s campaign liaison building in Bori and razed it down.The APC alleged that the PDP-led Government in Rivers State had resorted to sponsoring persons and individuals to use the media to blackmail Senator ABE as the person responsible for the presence of the military in Ogoniland.The APC unequivocally condemned the government’s attempt to blackmail the military through the use of stooges on the airwaves.The statement claims that top officials of the Rivers State Government might have compromised the privileged information about the security operations by the Army, resulting in the escape of key suspects and also exposing the military personnel to danger.
