By: Felix Ikpotor
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has lamented the rising spate of attacks on its members in the state, saying it potends grave danger for the country’s democracy.
The party stated this in reaction to last Friday’s attack on its members in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, a stakeholder of the party, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasar, accused the Rainbow Coalition and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of masterminding the attacks on its members.
He also called out some officials of the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly providing them cover while they carryout attacks on its members.
This allegations have however, not been independently verified.
The party insisted that the police must be neutral even as the electioneering campaigns begins in the state.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State is deeply concerned about the increasing incidents of attacks, intimidation, harassment and disruption of legitimate political activities involving members and supporters of our party across the State.
“What is particularly disturbing is the apparent pattern in which individuals and groups associated with the Rainbow Coalition and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have allegedly interfered with ADC meetings and activities, while the conduct of elements of the Rivers State Police Command has, in several instances, raised serious questions about neutrality, proportionality and equal protection under the law.
“We wish to state clearly that Rivers State belongs to all its citizens and not to any political party, political tendency or individual. Democracy cannot thrive where one political group is permitted to exercise its rights while another is intimidated, obstructed or prevented from organising, ” he stated.
Nwibubasar said that the ADC is particularly concerned about circumstances in which police intervention appears to favour one political tendency over another.
He emphasized that the situation whereby political meetings are disrupted and the response of security agencies are directed principally at the victims or organisers rather than those allegedly responsible for the disruption, creates a dangerous perception that the machinery of the state is being deployed selectively.
He maintained that the police must not become an instrument for settling political disagreements.
The party official also called on members of the Rainbow Coalition to exercise political tolerance and allow for contest of ideas.
“We call upon members and supporters of the Rainbow Coalition, the APC and all other political tendencies in Rivers State to embrace political tolerance as no political group has a monopoly over Rivers State.
“The ADC does not expect its political opponents to agree with our ideas. We only expect them to respect our right to express those ideas peacefully and seek the support of the people, ” he added.
The party called on the Rivers State Police Command to immediately investigate all reported attacks, threats and disruptions involving ADC members and meetings, especially the recent event in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government, ensure that police protection is provided without discrimination or political consideration to all legally organised political parties and their activities.
It also demanded a stop to the harassment and intimidation of peaceful ADC members exercising their constitutional rights, ensure that individuals who unlawfully disrupt political meetings, irrespective of their political affiliation, are investigated and prosecuted where evidence establishes criminal conduct.
He further called on the police to establish clear operational guidelines for policing political gatherings in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, with strict adherence to neutrality and proportionality.
Nwibubasar however, called supporters of the party not to be intimidated but to remain law abiding.
