David-West Carpets Jonathan, PDP Over Rivers Stadium Seizure

A former Minister of
Petroleum Resources, Professor Tam David-West has condemned the seizure of Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Centre Complex in Igwuruta, Port Harcourt by soldiers believed to be acting on the directives of the Federal Government.
Prof. David-West made the condemnation in Port Harcourt on Saturday, while addressing newsmen on the invasion of the state owned stadium by federal troops.
He called on President Goodluck  Jonathan to withdraw the soldiers immediately.
The former minister said the seizure of the stadium was a dangerous trend that might eventually drive the country to chaos, while also describing the action of the President as impunity of the highest order.
He said, “I am advising President Jonathan to withdraw soldiers from the stadium to avoid confrontation and problem. We need peace in the country, and not war. What PDP is doing is a plot to cause confusion to justify shift of date of the elections.
The sports complex was last Saturday seized by a troop of soldiers in readiness for President Jonathan’s campaign rally billed for this Wednesday.
Rivers State Government had earlier denied the PDP the use of the stadium on the excuse that “the stadium is still under construction, and as works resumed in the site, it is unsafe environment for use at this time”.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, however flayed the resolve of the PDP leaders to unlawfully break into the sport complex without authorization, saying it was an invitation to anarchy and a plot by the PDP led federal government to justify its earlier call for postponement of the next month’s election.
She called on Nigerians and Security agencies to call PDP leaders to order for peace to prevail in the state.
The PDP Chairman in Rivers State, Bro Felix Obuah had earlier said the state government’s refusal to allow the party to use the stadium amounted to impunity.
Meanwhile, the State Government has condemned last Saturday’s bombing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial rally venue at Okrika, the country home of the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan by some unknown gunmen. The incident forced the APC to postpone its governorship rally scheduled to hold last Saturday at Okrika.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the State Commissioner for Information, and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, described the activities of the hoodlum as the handiwork of the PDP in the state.
She, called on the security agencies to investigate the incident with a view to bringing those behind the APC attack to justice.

Enoch  Epelle

Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside (middle) upholding his running mate, Asita O. Asita. With them is Federal House of Representatives candidate, Bonny/Degema Constituency, Hon. Aye Pepple , during the APC governorship rally in Bonny, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson