The Guardian (Nigeria)

PDP, APC Bicker Over Locked Court Premises, Vandalism

- From Kelvin Ebiri and Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt)

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) in Rivers State are bickering over the vandalisin­g and locking up of a court premises in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The former PDP spokesman, Samuel Wanosike, accused former APC deputy gover- norship candidate, Asita. O. Asita, and three others of allegedly mastermind­ing the matter.

But, in a swift reaction, APC governorsh­ip candidate, Dakuku Peterside, in a radio programme in Port Harcourt, yesterday, accused the PDP and Wanosike of leading youths that opened the court and destroyed properties.

While briefing journalist­s on Friday, APC spokesman, Chris Finebone, said the crisis confirmed the claim that Governor Nyesom Wike funded a small group in APC to destabilis­e the party’s congress.

Meanwhile, Wanosike has described the incident as treasonabl­e, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to arrest and prose- cute Asita and the three APC members.

He said: “If the situation repeats itself, we will repeat the action of opening up the court because nobody can cow the judiciary. Nobody has the right to close the court. What we are saying is that, under Governor Wike, the judiciary and legislatur­e should be allowed to function without hindrance.”

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