Security Moves Against New PDP In Yenagoa

Following the petition of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the police on the activities of the new PDP in Bayelsa State, which has finalised arrangements to open a secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital, security agents have started hunting for its members, and leaders.
Although as at the time of reporting, nobody has been arrested, as most of them have gone underground, while some have left for neighbouring states where their safety could be granted.
Last Friday, the state police command had issued a statement warning anybody promoting unregistered political or the PDP to desist or be ready some unpleasant consequences.
This followed a petition to police, which described the members of the new PDP as undesirable elements and betrayers.
Consequently, the law enforcement agents have a discrete decision to hunt down the members where ever they may be, a situation that has forced the leaders of the factional group heading to the court to enforce their fundamental human rights that guaranteed the freedom of association.
The interim leader of the group, Chief Richard Kpodo insisted that the police have no legal right to declare him and his people wanted, stressing that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guaranteed the freedom of association; hence, the new PDP would go ahead with its decision to open an office in Yenagoa this week.
Kpodo lamented that it is only in Bayelsa that the police have declared dissident politicians wanted for what they believe in, adding that in other places, the worse the police have done so far was to close the offices and not threaten to kill them.
“We are not intimidated by the police. We have not committed any offense, so we will go ahead with what we are doing and dare them to arrest us. Nigeria is not a lawless society,” he said.
Kpodo debunked insinuations that they were loyalists fighting the case for Governor Timipre Sylva, who was denied opportunity to seek a second term in office as governor of the state.
He said that contrary to that claim, they were people who are genuinely interested in what happens in the party.
“I worked for Governor DSP Alamieyeseigha as director of operations, Centre for Youth Development. I was senior special assistant to President Jonathan as governor of the state on strategy and policy monitoring before Sylva appointed me senior special assistant and later special adviser on security. So, what do they mean when they call us Sylva’s loyalists. We are committed PDP members who care so much for what happens to the party both at the national and state level.
Also angry at the invasion of their homes and business premises by the police, the former South-South youth leader of the party, Mr. Godwin Sidi insisted that they were fighting a PDP cause and not a selfish interest.
He accused Governor Seriake Dickson of abandoning the leadership of the party and running it as if the people don’t have any opinion on issues affecting them as party members.
Just like Kpodo, Sidi said he was not afraid of any arrest but stressed that the police have been intimidating their families since they took their position.
“The lives of our wives and children are in dang.